Algerian regime exploits extradition row to mask internal failures

The Algerian regime has strongly condemned France’s refusal to extradite Abdeslam Bouchouareb, a former minister convicted in Algeria on multiple counts of corruption, embezzlement, and abuse of power, which reportedly inflicted heavy losses on the Algerian treasury.

In a statement released by the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government criticized what it described as France's “total lack of cooperation” in matters of judicial assistance.

Yet this accusation comes with a strong dose of hypocrisy.

While Algeria accuses France of ignoring international and bilateral legal agreements, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's authoritarian regime routinely refuses to accept Algerian nationals extradited by France—individuals accused of crimes including drug trafficking, sexual assault, and organized violence. 

These rejections contradict Algeria's current demands and point to a selective and self-serving interpretation of justice.

This double standard reflects a broader pattern of sectarian governance and authoritarian control in Algeria, where legal and diplomatic principles are invoked only when politically convenient.

The Algerian judicial system, far from being independent, is widely seen as a tool of political repression, often used to neutralize dissent or settle internal regime scores. 

While Bouchouareb’s conviction is framed as a fight against corruption, critics argue that such high-profile cases are carefully chosen to create the illusion of reform without addressing the deep-rooted systemic issues that enable corruption in the first place.

Geopolitical Frustration in the Shadow of Morocco

The statement also comes amid growing tensions between Algeria and France, especially after the recent rapprochement between Paris and Rabat. Algeria has increasingly used diplomatic channels to pressure France, often linking bilateral cooperation to France’s relations with Morocco—its regional rival.

This behavior highlights a regime more concerned with regional rivalry and image management than with coherent international cooperation or consistent application of justice.

Under the façade of legal outrage lies a regime that refuses accountability, crushes domestic opposition, and manipulates nationalist sentiment to divert attention from internal failures. 

As international observers continue to call out Algeria’s democratic deficit, the regime’s selective outrage over extradition requests exposes its cynical use of the law as a political weapon.

If Algeria seeks credibility on the international stage, it must start by respecting its own legal obligations—not just when it suits its geopolitical narratives.