Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, whose country has observed a moratorium on the death penalty since 1993, announced Monday his intention to reinstate its application against arsonists, following deadly wildfires that ravaged eastern and northern Algeria.
Abdelmadjid Tebboune © Mena Today
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, whose country has observed a moratorium on the death penalty since 1993, announced Monday his intention to reinstate its application against arsonists, following deadly wildfires that ravaged eastern and northern Algeria.
Addressing the justice minister during a meeting on the fires, attended by senior civilian and military officials, the head of state ordered "an amendment to the Penal Code" before September 15. Tebboune asked that the bill go through the government and then be examined "swiftly" by parliament.
"We are reinstating the death penalty for arsonists," he declared. "There will be execution" once all appeals are exhausted for those convicted, he insisted, in footage broadcast on television.
Algeria has declared three days of official mourning and cancelled all cultural festivities and sporting competitions following the fires.
According to official figures released so far, at least 12 people have died in connection with violent forest fires near Béjaïa, Jijel and Tizi Ouzou, though local sources fear the death toll could be significantly higher.
Health Minister Mohamed Seddik Aït Messaoudène said Friday the toll was "very heavy," without providing a specific figure. Authorities said several people suspected of starting the fires had been arrested.
By Badr Zayan
Images of migrants crossing into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta have fuelled support for far-right parties despite a sharp decline in irregular arrivals in Europe following tougher migration policies, EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner said on Friday.
An Egyptian man deported from the US to Equatorial Guinea who criticized the conduct of security forces there has been held for a week at a gendarmerie station, one of his lawyers said.
Spanish riot police fired rubber bullets into the air and struck people with batons on Friday as they began an operation to clear thousands of migrants off beaches in the North African enclave of Ceuta and move some of them into temporary housing.
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