the essential
Tensions have risen further between France and Algeria with the affair of the TikToker “Doualemn”, whose fate awaits to be determined in a detention center.
It is an expulsion which further strains diplomatic relations between France and Alegria. The Tiktoker “Doualemn”, a 59-year-old influencer, who indulged in violent and threatening remarks against any opponent of the Algerian regime is being held at the administrative detention center in Mesnil-Amelot (Seine-et-Marne). Since Sunday, his detention has been extended for an additional 26 days. It can last, in total, 90 days while waiting for the Algerian authorities to validate his return.
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France-Algeria: influencers arrested, writer detained… why are relations between the two countries so tense?
Without a residence permit
Epilogue of a sequence of twists and turns where this Franco-Algerian father, domiciled in Montpellier, holder of a residence permit, was expelled, Thursday January 9, to his country of origin, which refused to welcome him , sending him back to France in the evening.
The lawyers of “Doualemn”, who is actually called Boualem Naman, contest this expulsion and believe that their client is paying the price for the tense diplomatic relations between the two countries.
France therefore did not wait for him to be judged in relation to the hateful comments made on social networks. The country's authorities have chosen to launch an administrative expulsion procedure. This is also what the Algerian authorities accuse France of. No longer having a residence permit, “Doualemn” is therefore considered clandestine, hence his placement in a detention center while awaiting the issuance of the famous consular pass. A document issued by the country of origin of the person concerned when they are expelled from France.
A legal-administrative imbroglio
In the present case, if Algeria refuses to issue the pass, “Doualemn” remains on national territory while awaiting a favorable decision from its country of origin.
A situation which can very quickly turn into a legal-administrative imbroglio with procedural delays of varying lengths.
Points of tension against a backdrop of diplomatic crisis between the two countries: visas granted by France to Algerians and consular passes.
According to the Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, there is too big a gap between the 200,000 visas granted in 2023 to Algerians while at the same time, the Algiers authorities have validated 470 passes. The two countries entered into a real standoff, thus reducing their cooperation and considerably reducing the number of visas and consular passes.
France
