In a tit-for-tat move, France announced on Tuesday, April 15th, the expulsion of 12 Algerian diplomatic and consular personnel serving in the country and recalled its ambassador to Algiers for consultations.
The French presidency, in an official statement confirming the expulsion of the Algerian diplomats, indicated that Ambassador Stephane Romatet had been called back to Paris.
This escalation in diplomatic tensions follows Algeria’s demand on Monday for 12 staff members from the French embassy and consulates to leave the country within 48 hours.
Paris asserts that the crisis is directly linked to the arrest in France of three Algerian nationals, including a consular officer, who are suspected of involvement in the attempted kidnapping of Amir Boukhors, an exiled Algerian opposition figure active on social media. Boukhors, who was granted political asylum in France in 2023, was reportedly targeted for abduction in the same year.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot reaffirmed France’s commitment to maintaining dialogue but warned that any further hostile actions from Algiers would trigger an immediate response.
SL/te/Sf/fss/abj/APA