Algeria has ordered the expulsion of 12 French embassy officials, granting them 48 hours to depart the country, in a move that intensifies diplomatic tensions between the two nations. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed the expulsions on Monday, describing them as a response to the recent arrest of three Algerian nationals in France, including a consular official, on charges related to the kidnapping of Algerian political refugee and influencer Amir Boukhors, known as “Amir DZ”.
Boukhors, a vocal critic of the Algerian government with a significant following on social media, was abducted in April 2024 in a Paris suburb and released 27 hours later. French authorities have linked the arrested individuals to this incident, alleging their involvement in a terrorist undertaking.
Barrot condemned Algeria’s decision, emphasizing that the expelled officials had no connection to the ongoing legal proceedings. He warned that France would respond promptly if Algeria did not reverse its decision.
This development adds to a series of diplomatic strains between France and Algeria, including disagreements over migration policies and France’s support for Morocco’s autonomy plan in Western Sahara, a region Algeria supports for independence.
The expulsions also follow recent efforts to mend bilateral relations, highlighted by a phone call between French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, where both leaders expressed a desire to renew cooperation.
