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France and Algeria Face Diplomatic Standoff Over Expulsion of Embassy Officials

Algeria orders 12 French officials to leave within 48 hours, prompting France to warn of immediate retaliation as tensions escalate over a high-profile kidnapping case.

FILE - French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot addresses the media during a meeting of NATO foreign ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert, File)
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Overview

  • Algeria has expelled 12 French embassy officials in response to the arrest of three Algerian nationals in France, including a consular official, accused of involvement in the 2024 kidnapping of dissident Amir Boukhors.
  • French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has condemned the expulsions, calling them unjustified, and warned of immediate retaliatory measures if Algeria proceeds with the order.
  • Amir Boukhors, a critic of the Algerian government granted asylum in France, was abducted in April 2024 but released after 24 hours; Algeria has demanded his extradition, which France has refused.
  • This latest escalation follows months of strained relations over colonial legacies, Algeria's support for Western Sahara's independence, and France's backing of Morocco's autonomy plan for the region.
  • Despite the heightened tensions, French diplomatic sources have indicated that backchannel communications are ongoing, signaling a potential interest in de-escalation.