New Algerian influencer arrested: Bruno Retailleau announces the arrest of a man who “called for violent acts” in France

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau announced the arrest on Wednesday morning in France of an Algerian influencer, presented as Rafik M., who “called for violent acts to be committed on French territory on TikTok”. This arrest comes at a time of diplomatic tensions between Paris and Algiers, while several Algerian influencers have been arrested in recent weeks in France.

“The Algerian influencer Rafik M. who called for violent acts to be committed on French territory on TikTok was arrested this morning. Thank you to the investigators and the police for their professionalism,” notably communicated the Minister of Interior on

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Algerian influencers arrested for videos on TikTok: apology for terrorism, incitement to hatred, OQTF… We summarize the case for you

Recent weeks have been marked by numerous arrests of pro-regime Algerian influencers living in France.

The “Doualemn” affair has reignited tensions

Tensions are high between France and Algeria, particularly around the Western Sahara issues and the fate of the Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, imprisoned in Algeria since mid-November. They became a little more heated with the recent arrest in Montpellier of a 59-year-old Algerian influencer, “Doualemn”, after a contentious video on TikTok. Put on a plane on January 9 for Algeria, this maintenance worker, father of two children, was sent back to France the same evening. On January 12, his detention was extended by 26 days by a judge. Bruno Retailleau had estimated that by sending Doualemn back to Paris, Algeria had sought to “humiliate France”. Algeria had rejected French accusations of “escalation” and “humiliation”, citing a “disinformation campaign” against Algiers.