Algiers, Algeria – Algeria has ordered 12 French embassy staff to leave the country within 48 hours following the prosecution of three Algerian nationals including a consular official in France on Friday.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed the announcement which has ignited a fresh standoff between the two nations threatening diplomatic ties rooted.
According to Barrot, the sudden expulsion is directly tied to the French judiciary’s decision to prosecute three Algerians, one of whom held consular status, a position that traditionally enjoys diplomatic immunity.
Algeria has interpreted the move as a “grave violation” of diplomatic norms, prompting a swift and firm response.
“Twelve of our diplomatic staff in Algiers have been declared persona non grata (person not welcome). We are complying with the order,” said Barrot during a press briefing in Paris, adding that the expulsion notice gives the diplomats 48 hours to exit Algerian territory.
“I am asking Algerian authorities to abandon these expulsion measures… if the decision to send back our officials is maintained, we will have no other choice but to respond immediately.”
The French government, while acknowledging the decision has defended the legal process stating that the prosecutions were based on serious allegations that required judicial attention regardless of diplomatic status.
Three Algerian nationals are accused of involvement in the abduction last year of Amir Boukhors, 41, an outspoken critic of Algeria’s government who has an audience of more than one million people online.
Boukhors was abducted in April 2024 in the southern suburbs of Paris and released the following day, according to his lawyer Eric Plouvier.
French media reported that he was forced into a car with a flashing light by “fake police officers”, then released the next day in woodland without explanation.
Algerian authorities accuse the influencer of being “a saboteur linked to terrorist groups”. The North African nation has issued nine international arrest warrants against him accusing him of fraud and associations with terrorist organisations.
He denies the allegations. In 2022, the French courts refused attempts to extradite him to Algeria.
However, Algeria has slammed the move as “politically motivated” and “unfounded,” accusing France of abusing its judicial system to target Algerian nationals under the guise of law enforcement.”
Algeria’s foreign ministry said it had summoned French ambassador Stéphane Romatet in response to “express its strong protest” and called for the official’s immediate release.
The ministry added that the individual was arrested in public and then taken into custody without notification through the diplomatic channels.
In France, some lawmakers are calling for a re-evaluation of diplomatic privileges for foreign envoys suspected of illegal activity while others warn that tit-for-tat diplomacy could harm the thousands of Algerians living, studying and working in France.
For now, the expelled diplomats are packing their bags. French authorities have not indicated any plans to mirror the move with Algerian diplomats in Paris but the situation remains tense.
“France is acting within its laws. We expect our partners to respect the independence of our judiciary,” Barrot said firmly.
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