PARIS (AP) – French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau on Friday accused Algeria of “trying to humiliate France” after the North African country refused to accept one of its nationals he was dismissed.
The hitman was arrested in the city of Montpellier on Sunday on charges of inciting violence in videos he posted on social media. French immigration officials put him on a plane to Algiers on Thursday, but Algeria refused to recognize him, saying he was prevented from entering its territory. He was eventually sent back to France that evening, the French interior ministry said.
In recent days the French police have arrested four Algerian nationals who were influenced by authorities on social media accused of posting videos inciting violenceagainst a background of painful relationships.
Trusted news and daily excitement, right in your inbox
See for yourself – The Yodel is the source for daily news, entertainment and feel good stories.
“I want to express my surprise,” Retailleau said on Friday. “I think we have reached a very serious level with Algeria. It is clear that Algeria is trying to humiliate France.”
The two countries have a turbulent relationship: Algeria, once a French colony, suspended rule from Paris in 1962 after a brutal war.
Two more Algerian hitmen was arrested last week in the Alpine city of Grenoble and the western port city of Brest, while a female TikTok influencer was taken into police custody in the city of Lyon on Thursday. She is accused of making “death threats” against government opponents in Algiers.
“There is no question of giving free rein to the hatred of those people who spread antisemitism, murder etc.,” said Retailleau. “Social networks are not a lawless zone.”
Retailleau also strongly criticized the detention of the French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal in Algeria since November, who is an outspoken critic of the Algerian government. Retailleau said Sansal is “old and sick” and accused Algiers of keeping him in prison “for the wrong reasons.”
Moved last July in the French situation decades ago the disputed region of Western Sahara in northern Africa angered Algeria and prompted the withdrawal of the ambassador in Paris.
