Algeria has ordered 12 French embassy staff to leave the country within 48 hours, according to France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. The decision comes in the wake of France indicting three Algerian nationals last week, one of whom is a consular official, on charges including abduction, arbitrary detention, and participation in a terrorist organisation.
The case at the center of the dispute involves Amir Boukhors, also known as Amir DZ, a well-known critic of the Algerian government who has lived in France since 2016. He was reportedly granted political asylum in 2023. Boukhors was abducted in April 2024 in the southern suburbs of Paris and released the following day. His lawyer, Eric Plouvier, stated that he had previously been attacked in 2022 and again on April 29, 2024. French media reported that Boukhors was forced into a car by individuals posing as police officers.
Algeria has issued nine international arrest warrants against Boukhors, accusing him of fraud and links to terrorist organisations—charges he denies. A French court refused to extradite him in 2022.
In response to the indictments, Algeria summoned French ambassador Stephane Romatet to protest the arrest of the consular official. The Algerian foreign ministry called for the official’s immediate release and claimed the arrest was conducted without prior diplomatic notification. It suggested the move was intended to disrupt efforts to improve bilateral ties.
Barrot has urged Algeria to abandon the expulsion measures and warned that France would respond immediately if the expulsions proceed. He said the decision threatened to undo recent efforts to mend diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The incident adds to a series of escalating tensions between France and Algeria in recent years. These include the imprisonment of French-Algerian author Boualem Sansal in Algeria, and Algeria recalling its ambassador from Paris after France expressed support for Morocco’s claim over Western Sahara.
Despite the strained ties, both countries had taken steps toward reconciliation in recent months. In March, Presidents Emmanuel Macron and Abdelmadjid Tebboun held a phone conversation described as “frank and friendly,” and Barrot visited Algeria on April 6, expressing hopes for a “new phase” in the relationship.
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