The incident follows the indictment of three Algerians in France over a controversial abduction case involving a social media critic, escalating ongoing diplomatic disputes.
**Algeria Orders Expulsion of French Embassy Staff Amid Diplomatic Tensions**
**Algeria Orders Expulsion of French Embassy Staff Amid Diplomatic Tensions**
Algeria has issued a decree for the immediate expulsion of 12 French embassy employees, deepening the rift between the two nations.
In a significant diplomatic clash, Algeria has ordered the expulsion of 12 staff members from the French embassy within a 48-hour timeframe, as confirmed by France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot. The expulsion comes on the heels of the indictment of three Algerian nationals in connection with the abduction of Amir Boukhors, a 41-year-old vocal critic of the Algerian government residing in France. Boukhors, known as Amir DZ, is a prominent social media figure who had been granted political asylum in France in 2023.
Barrot condemned the expulsion measures and urged the Algerian authorities to reconsider their decision. He emphasized France's readiness to react promptly if the expulsion goes ahead. Boukhors has been living in France since 2016, and he was reportedly abducted in the southern suburbs of Paris in April 2024 but released shortly after. His lawyer, Eric Plouvier, stated that Boukhors had faced serious threats and physical attacks prior to this incident, including a previous attempt on his life in 2022.
Algeria has issued nine international arrest warrants for Boukhors on charges of fraud and alleged connections to terrorist organizations, all of which he denies. This event follows a series of incidents that have exacerbated the bilateral relationship between France and Algeria, including the imprisonment of French-Algerian author Boualem Sansal and rising tensions over France's support of Moroccan claims to Western Sahara.
In response to these latest developments, Algeria summoned the French ambassador, expressing strong objections and demanding the immediate release of the detained official involved in the case that triggered the expulsions. The Algerian foreign ministry criticized the legal approach as politically motivated, aimed at undermining efforts to rekindle bilateral relations.
Despite the tensions, there have been recent attempts to mend relations, including a March phone call between French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboun, signaling hopes for a new phase in their relationship.
