Tensions Rise Between Algeria and France Over Diplomatic Kidnapping Allegations

Algeria expressed its strong protest over the French authorities’ decision to temporarily imprison the consular employee, considering the matter an “unacceptable” development that threatens the restoration of bilateral relations between the two countries.

The French anti-terrorism prosecution has charged three individuals, including the consular employee, with kidnapping and arbitrary detention, as part of what it described as a “terrorist plot.”

The investigation is still ongoing to determine the circumstances of the case, which may involve “foreign interference,” according to a statement by the French Minister of the Interior.

Algeria condemned the diplomatic breach and questioned the evidence. The Algerian government summoned the French ambassador to protest what it described as a “blatant violation of diplomatic norms,” asserting that the employee was arrested on the street without any prior coordination, based on “weak evidence” that did not justify the charges.

In the background, Algeria accuses Boukhars of involvement in fraud and incitement and had previously sought his extradition through nine international arrest warrants. However, French courts rejected these requests and granted him political asylum in 2023.

In a related development, Boukhars’ lawyer stated that his client had been subjected to two attempted assaults over the past two years, and what occurred in April was a “real kidnapping attempt,” suspected to be orchestrated by parties linked to the Algerian authorities.

The incident has reignited the disputes between Paris and Algiers, which had already been tense in recent months over issues such as migration, the Western Sahara, and the case of writer Boualem Sansal.

This event raises concerns about a setback in the “resumption of relations” process, which was recently agreed upon by the two countries’ presidents, after a crisis that nearly severed diplomatic ties between the two capitals.