Algerian dissident's abduction in France: Ex-diplomat from Algerian embassy faces warrant for detainment
In a recent development, an international arrest warrant has been issued against a 37-year-old Algerian, S. S., on July 25, 20XX. The warrant comes in connection with the kidnapping of Amir Boukhors, an opposition figure and critic of the Algerian regime, who was abducted in the Paris region on April 29, 2024, and held captive for approximately 27 hours in a forest in Seine-et-Marne before being released.
S. S., who is a former Algerian diplomat, is believed to have been an "Algerian sub-officer of the DGDSE," a service of Algeria, present in Paris "under diplomatic cover as first secretary" of the Algerian embassy. The arrest warrant targets S. S. for alleged crimes including arrest, kidnapping, and detention in connection with a terrorist enterprise and criminal association of terrorist accomplices.
The General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI) incriminated a former high-ranking official of the Algerian embassy in Paris in an investigation report dated April, 20XX, regarding the kidnapping of Amir Boukhors. Seven individuals, including an Algerian consular agent, have been formally investigated for their alleged involvement in the kidnapping.
Eric Plouvier, Amir Boukhors' lawyer, has stated that this development is a significant step to avoid the impunity of Algerian agents involved in acts of obvious gravity. He also believes it would be significant to hear the suspect's (S. S.) explanations if he is arrested in the future.
It is worth noting that Amir Boukhors, known as Amir DZ, has one million followers on TikTok and obtained political asylum in France in 2023. The French justice refused his extradition in 2022.
This judicial procedure has reignited tensions between France and Algeria, whose relations have been deteriorating since the summer of 2024. Eric Plouvier stated that it is difficult to expect cooperation from Algerian authorities given the current context of deteriorating relations.
S. S. may no longer be in France and could potentially invoke potential immunity. However, the French authorities are determined to bring those responsible for the kidnapping of Amir Boukhors to justice.
[1] This paragraph has been restructured for clarity and readability. The original bullet point mentioned "S. S.'s alleged involvement relates to this kidnapping operation," but for the sake of the article, it has been expanded to provide more context.
- The arrest warrant, issued against S. S., a former Algerian diplomat in Paris, includes charges for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping of Amir Boukhors, a political figure critical of the Algerian regime, under the categories of criminal association of terrorist accomplices, terrorism-related crimes, and kidnapping.
- General-news and crime-and-justice outlets have reported on the release of an investigation report, implicating a former high-ranking official of the Algerian embassy in Paris, S. S., for his alleged role in the kidnapping of Amir Boukhors, a move that further aggravates tensions between France and Algeria in the political sphere.
