Algeria has summoned the French ambassador to protest the arrest of an Algerian consular official on suspicion of involvement in the April 2024 abduction of a TikTok influencer near Paris. It threatens to scupper a recent easing of tension between France and its former colony.
The Algerian consular official was one of three men reportedly charged Friday on suspicion of involvement in the abduction of Amir Boukhors – a popular TikTok influencer known as "Amir DZ".
Boukhors has been openly critical of the Algerian government and Algeria views him as a "saboteur linked to terrorist groups".
The three men were charged with abduction, arbitrary detention and illegal confinement, in connection with a terrorist enterprise, as well as other crimes, according to France's Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office (PNAT). They were later detained in custody.
Algeria hit back on Saturday, lodging a "strong protest" with French Ambassador Stephane Romatet, its foreign ministry said.
It said the indicted consular officer "was arrested in public and then taken into custody without notification through the diplomatic channels". It demanded his immediate release.
It denounced a "far-fetched argument" based "on the sole fact that the accused consular officer's mobile phone was allegedly located around [Boukhors'] home".
Boukhors has been in France since 2016 and was granted political asylum in 2023. He was abducted in April 2024 and released the following day, his lawyer said.
Algiers is demanding the influencer's return to face trial, having issued nine international arrest warrants against him, accusing him of fraud and terror offences.
With Franco-Algerian relations at an all-time low, can they get back on track?
Strained relations
The indictment comes at a sensitive time. Tensions between France and its former colony have eased following a phone call between President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on 31 March.
Just a week ago, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot expressed hope for a "new phase" in relations with Algeria.
However the Algerian foreign ministry said the "unprecedented" turn of events was "no coincidence" and was "aimed at torpedoing the process of reviving bilateral relations".
Ties came under strain last July when Macron recognised a plan for the autonomy of the disputed Western Sahara region under Moroccan sovereignty. Algeria, which has long backed the pro-independence Polisario Front, recalled its ambassador from Paris in protest.
Relations have worsenend further over the fate of French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal who has been sentenced to five years in jail for allegedly undermining Algeria's territorial unity. Macron has called for his release.
(with newswires)
