Algeria orders 12 officials from the French embassy to leave country within 48 hours

Algeria has ordered 12 French embassy officials to leave the country within 48 hours, including several reportedly linked to France's Interior Ministry, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on Monday, as reported by France24 and AFP.

The expulsion is seen as retaliation for France’s recent arrest of three Algerian nationals, including an Algerian consular official, in connection to the 2024 abduction of Amir Boukhours—a France-based Algerian influencer known online as “Amir DZ.” Boukhours, who has been openly critical of the Algerian government, was granted political asylum in France in 2023.

Barrot, who visited Algiers earlier this month in an effort to ease tensions between France and its former colony, had emphasized the importance of “rebuilding a partnership of equals” following a meeting with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. Now, however, the French minister is warning of a potential diplomatic escalation.

“I am asking Algerian authorities to abandon these expulsion measures,” Barrot stated. “If the decision to send back our officials is maintained, we will have no other choice but to respond immediately.”

Algerian authorities, meanwhile, claim that France's arrest of the three Algerians was aimed at derailing recent progress in bilateral relations.

Boukhours, who has over a million followers on TikTok, was abducted in April 2024 but released the next day, according to his lawyer. Algeria has issued nine international arrest warrants against him on charges of fraud and terrorism, and has repeatedly requested his extradition to face trial in Algiers—requests France has denied.

The diplomatic relationship between the two nations has long been strained, with tensions flaring last year after France formally recognized Morocco’s claim to Western Sahara, a move opposed by Algeria, which supports the Polisario Front’s call for a referendum on the disputed territory.