Algeria Protests France's Detention of Consular Official Amid Kidnapping Case

Tensions between Algeria and France have escalated following the arrest of an Algerian consular official in connection with the alleged kidnapping of dissident Amir Boukhors, also known as AmirDZ. Algeria's foreign ministry condemned the detention as a 'judicial witch hunt' and warned it could severely damage bilateral relations. The French judiciary has charged three men, including the consular staffer, with kidnapping and terrorist conspiracy, a move Algeria claims violates diplomatic norms. This incident has derailed recent attempts to mend ties, which have been strained since France's support for Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. Algerian authorities labeled the evidence against their diplomat as 'absurd,' further complicating the diplomatic landscape. The situation underscores the fragile nature of relations between the two nations, which have a tumultuous history.