Algeria Condemns French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau Over Alleged Discrimination
Tensions between Algeria and France escalate as Algerian officials and media accuse Retailleau of punitive actions against Algerian travelers in French airports.
- Algerian officials summoned the French ambassador twice this week to protest alleged discriminatory practices targeting Algerian travelers at French airports, reportedly orchestrated by Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau.
- Algerian media launched a coordinated campaign labeling Retailleau as hostile toward Algeria, with terms like 'minister of hate' and 'neofascist' used in prominent headlines.
- Reports claim Algerian travelers faced long delays and intrusive checks at Paris airports, with only one customs desk open exclusively for them, sparking accusations of collective punishment.
- French officials have denied the allegations, attributing the incidents to isolated operational issues rather than targeted policies.
- The controversy highlights ongoing strains in Franco-Algerian relations, with Retailleau's hardline immigration stance clashing with diplomatic efforts to rebuild bilateral ties.