Transfer comes after Algeria expelled French diplomats, following France’s arrest of an Algerian consular official linked to an alleged kidnap.
France says it can expel 12 Algerian diplomatic and consular employees members and has recalled its ambassador from Algiers, deepening a disaster that threatens to unravel months of tried reconciliation between the 2 international locations.
The announcement on Tuesday comes a day after Algeria ordered 12 French diplomats to go away inside 48 hours.
Algiers introduced the expulsions after French prosecutors indicted three Algerian nationals, together with a consular official, over the alleged kidnapping of a outstanding authorities critic in Paris final yr.
The activist, Amir Boukhors – higher recognized to his multiple million TikTok followers as “Amir DZ” – was granted asylum in France in 2023. He was kidnapped in a Paris suburb in April final yr and launched the subsequent day. French authorities stated the three suspects are additionally dealing with prices of “terrorist” conspiracy.
Strained relations
It’s the first time France has detained an worker of the Algerian consulate, marking a pointy escalation in tensions between Paris and the previous French colony.
French International Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated on Monday that the expulsions had been immediately linked to the arrests.
The French Ministry for Europe and International Affairs famous that Algeria’s transfer, if carried out, would mark the primary expulsion of French diplomats from the nation since its independence in 1962.
Algeria, which has issued 9 worldwide arrest warrants for Boukhors on prices together with fraud and “terrorism”, is demanding his extradition.
The escalation comes regardless of latest overtures between the 2 international locations. Only a week earlier, Barrot met with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and declared bilateral relations had returned to regular after a interval of simmering tensions.
French President Emmanuel Macron’s backing of Morocco’s autonomy plan for the disputed area of Western Sahara final yr sparked outrage in Algiers. The jailing of French-Algerian author Boualem Sansal by an Algerian courtroom final month solely added to the pressure with Macron calling for his launch.
