The series of tense relations between Paris and Algiers is experiencing a new episode. After the Moroccan character of Western Sahara and the arrest of the Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, it is the turn of the arrest of Algerian influencers based in France to aggravate the crisis between the two countries.
These young people, very active on social networks, are suspected of acts ranging from inciting hatred to advocating terrorism. About ten days ago, they posted videos calling for violent attacks on Algerian opponents and for attacks on French territory. The prosecution immediately opened an investigation, notably following a complaint filed by Chawki Benzehra, an Algerian opponent who had taken refuge in France. Three authors of these hateful messages were heard on Monday January 6 by judges.
For Imad Tintin, the courts ordered his detention and set the opening of his trial for March 5. As for Youcef A. (Zazouyoussef), he was also placed in pre-trial detention. He will be tried on February 24 for advocating terrorism and faces up to seven years in prison, reports Libération.
Both are, moreover, subject to an OQTF (obligation to leave French territory). A third influencer, Doualemn, was also arrested for “inciting hatred”, after a report from the socialist mayor of Montpellier. These arrests were welcomed by the Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau.
Tebboune showed the way on December 24
The coming days could see new arrests. Three other Algerian nationals, also active on social networks, are in the sights of French justice, including Sofia Benlemman. They did not hesitate to expand the attacks in Morocco, the Moroccans and King Mohammed VI.
The rector of the Grand Mosque of Paris, the Franco-Algerian Chems-eddine Hafiz, former Polisario lawyer and close to President Tebboune, invited himself into this new episode of tense relations between Paris and Algiers. He attacked the Algerian opponent Chawki Benzehra, author of complaints against two Algerian influencers, by calling him an “obscure blogger”. The political refugee accused the Paris mosque of “seeking to destabilize France”.
If the rector refrained, in his press release, from addressing the arrests of influencers, Algerian media pointed out “a new escalation” and “the far-right accuses Algeria of seeking to destabilize France” .
These hateful messages were posted in response to videos signed by young Algerians, living in Algeria, condemning the political and economic conditions in their country. Calls which made President Abdelmadjid Tebboune come off his hinges. “Algeria cannot be destabilized by a hashtag (Manich Radi, editor’s note),” he said in his speech on December 24 to the walis and governors. It was the day after this presidential outing that the three arrested influencers began to make their threats.
