Algeria-France crisis escalates with arrests and mutual reprisals

The French authorities have arrested several Algerian influencers living in their territory, accusing them of terrorism, incitement to violence and hatred. This action aggravates the already tense diplomatic relationship between Algeria and France, sparking a series of arrests and mutual reprisals.

The arrests follow statements by Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, who on Sunday expressed his country's ‘doubts’ about Algeria's readiness to revive bilateral relations. Barrot also expressed his concern over the case of the French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal, who has been detained in Algeria for weeks.

So far, the French authorities have arrested three influencers: Youssef Zazou, Nouman Boualem and Imad Obi, known as ‘Imad Tintin’. Active on social media, they have a large number of followers and are notorious for their incitement speeches against opposition figures and political activists who oppose the French authorities.

According to local reports by Al-Arab, the list requested by the French authorities includes some 30 influencers who use their digital platforms to ‘promote the discourse of the Algerian authority’.


It seems that the growing tension between Algeria and France has led to a document detailing a series of arrests and mutual reprisals. Following the capture of former security director Major General Farid Ben Sheikh, accused of ‘collaboration and espionage with foreign powers’, in reference to France, and the arrest of writer Boualem Sansal, as well as a strong campaign against writer Kamal Daoud, France seems to be trying to weaken the power of the Algerian authority on its territory, seeking to curb its social and political influence.


Political analysts do not rule out that the French move is an attempt to put pressure on Algeria, as the chances of Boualem Sansal's release have been reduced, especially after Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's statements in his well-known ‘Address to the Nation’, where he called the writer a ‘thief’.

Barrot told RTL radio on Sunday that Algiers‘ positions “have raised doubts about the Algerians” willingness’ to commit to the roadmap for improving bilateral relations. The French foreign minister added that ‘compliance with the roadmap requires the will of both sides’, and described as ‘invalid’ the reasons that led the Algerian authorities to arrest Boualem Sansal.


These activists, recently targeted by the French authorities, have played a key role as social and political arms of the Algerian authorities. They have been directed and used by the security and diplomatic services to harass and discredit symbols of the popular opposition movement. Despite the allegations against them, they have managed to remain outside French surveillance in recent years, thanks to the political harmony that existed at that time between Algiers and Paris.


Algerian opposition figure Chawki Ben Zahra, who took refuge in France after participating in the 2019 pro-democracy movement, claimed that Youssef Zazou and Imad Tintin had joined ‘the war waged by the Algerian regime in France’.

Ben Zahra accused the Algerian authorities of mobilising a ‘large number’ of influencers who incite ‘violence’, and noted that on Friday he filed a complaint in the city of Lyon over threats received from Imad Tintin.


In his latest recording, influencer Youssef Zazou incited state officials, in particular President Tebboune and Minister Delegate of National Defence General Saeed Chengriha, to shoot those who demanded to return to the streets earlier this year. He also assured them that his supporters in France would be ready to persecute anyone who dared to demonstrate or protest against them.

Algeria tried to mobilise a group of immigrants in several European capitals, as well as in Canada and the United States, to carry out smear campaigns, threats and even physical attacks against opposition political activists, especially in France, Belgium, Spain and Canada, in exchange for material and moral incentives.

French Interior Minister Bruno Rotayo announced the arrest of Algerian influencers accused of incitement to terrorism and promotion of hate speech, but did not explain the reasons behind his government's delay in prosecuting these individuals in recent years or its incomprehensible policy of tolerance, despite complaints lodged against them by victims.


Sources in France reported that activist Youssef Zazou was the first to be arrested by French security in the northern city of Brest. The arrest followed the publication of a recording on his TikTok account, followed by 400,000 people, in which he incited violence and terrorism, and threatened political activists in opposition to the regime.

In the same speech, Imad Obi appeared in a recording in which he called for violence and murder, mentioning by name political activist Mohamed Tadjadit, who has been imprisoned several times in Algeria. This led French security to arrest him in the city of Grenoble. Eric Vaillant confirmed that ‘investigations are continuing with the detainee due to his documented threats’, adding that the authorities are committed to holding anyone who promotes hatred and violence accountable.

The hashtag that appeared on social media, ‘Ma Ranish Radi’ (I am not satisfied), caused alarm among the Algerian authorities, although it reflected a general position on conditions in the country. In response, social forces were instructed to launch a counter-hashtag, ‘Rani m3a bledi’ (I stand with my country), with the message ‘I support my country’, suggesting that foreign parties were behind the first hashtag. This also sparked an organised campaign by influencers loyal to the regime, whose aim was to threaten and use violence against opponents.