Algeria has ordered 12 French embassy officials to leave the country within 48 hours, the French foreign minister said Monday, in a move that further strains relations between the North African nation and its former colonial power.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the expulsion order is linked to the recent indictment of three Algerian nationals in France, including a consular official, over their suspected involvement in the 2024 abduction of an Algerian influencer in a Paris suburb.
“I am asking Algerian authorities to abandon these expulsion measures,” Barrot said. “If the decision to send back our officials is maintained, we will have no other choice but to respond immediately.”
A diplomatic source confirmed that the 12 individuals include some members of the French interior ministry.
The move comes amid efforts by both countries to repair ties following years of tension. Algeria has accused France of attempting to sabotage those efforts.
On Friday, French prosecutors indicted three Algerians in connection with the abduction of Amir Boukhors, a popular critic of the Algerian regime who is known online as “Amir DZ.” Boukhors, who has over a million TikTok followers, was abducted in April 2024 and released the next day, according to his lawyer.
Boukhors has lived in France since 2016 and was granted political asylum in 2023.
Algerian authorities have issued nine international arrest warrants for him, accusing him of fraud and terrorism-related offenses. They are demanding his extradition to face trial.
The French government has not responded to that request.