French authorities have arrested three Algerian men, described as social media influencers, for allegedly posting videos inciting violence online. This comes amid strained relations between France and Algeria.
The arrests, announced by Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau over the weekend, mark the third within a few days. One influencer, with over 400,000 TikTok followers prior to account suspension, was apprehended in Brest. He allegedly posted Arabic-language videos on TikTok promoting acts of terror against opponents of the Algerian government both in France and internationally. He was charged with expressing support for terrorism and faces up to seven years imprisonment. The case is scheduled for trial on February 24. Another influencer, in Grenoble, was accused of making similar "vile comments" on TikTok. His trial is set for March 5.
The timing of these arrests coincides with a recent deterioration in Franco-Algerian relations. A shift in France's stance on the Western Sahara issue, announced in July, sparked anger in Algeria, ultimately leading to the withdrawal of its ambassador from Paris. Additionally, the French government has publicly condemned the detention of French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal since November, who is a critical voice in Algeria. While the government has not directly linked the arrests to broader political tensions, the heightened diplomatic climate provides context to the situation.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot reaffirmed France's desire for positive relations with Algeria despite expressed concerns regarding Algeria's commitment to 2022 agreements aimed at improving relations. The current arrests highlight the potential for online content to be used to incite harmful actions, and potentially exacerbate pre-existing political tensions.
A third influencer was apprehended in Montpellier. While details regarding their specific charges and trial date haven't been immediately released, the case is being pursued by the appropriate legal authorities.
