Algeria protests French indictment of consular official in influencer abduction case

Algeria denounces France’s legal move as politically motivated amid fragile diplomatic reset.

French President Emmanuel Macron (left) speaks with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune as they pose for a group photo with G7 leaders and heads of delegation from Outreach countries at the Borgo Egnazia resort during the G7 Summit in Savelletri, Italy, on June 14, 2024. Photo by Ludovic Marin/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Tensions between Algeria and France reignited over the weekend as Algeria protested the French indictment of its consular official, citing diplomatic breaches and political maneuvering. The move followed the arrest and formal indictment of a consulate employee by French prosecutors, accused of participating in the abduction of Algerian influencer Amir Boukhors, also known online as "Amir DZ", in a Paris suburb in April 2024.

The diplomatic fallout is unfolding at a time when both countries have only just begun to attempt a cautious rebuilding of historically tense relations. In a sharply worded statement, Algeria’s foreign ministry summoned French Ambassador Stéphane Romatet to express what it described as “strong protest,” calling the indictment of the consular official a “serious breach of diplomatic protocol.”

Algeria protests French indictment has become the symbolic flashpoint for a broader geopolitical struggle between Algiers and Paris. This latest conflict, centered on accusations of illegal detention and political abduction, threatens to unravel recent efforts to thaw the longstanding chill between the former colonial power and its North African neighbor.

Allegations tied to high-profile influencer

The case at the heart of this diplomatic storm involves 41-year-old social media figure Amir Boukhors, better known by his digital pseudonym “Amir DZ.” With more than a million followers on TikTok, Boukhors has become a prominent critic of the Algerian government from his self-imposed exile in France. After receiving political asylum in 2023, his vocal opposition and viral videos turned him into a thorn in the side of Algerian authorities.

In April 2024, Boukhors was reportedly abducted in a Paris suburb and held for several hours before being released the following day. French authorities launched an investigation, and on Friday, three suspects were indicted in connection with the case. Among them was an employee of the Algerian consulate in France. According to the French National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office, the charges include abduction, arbitrary detention, illegal confinement, and alleged links to a terrorist enterprise.

French prosecutors justified the arrest partly based on mobile phone data, alleging the consular official’s device had been traced near Boukhors’s home. However, Algiers rejected this as a “far-fetched argument” and claimed the arrest violated established diplomatic norms, especially as no formal notification was made through official channels.

Algeria calls move a political provocation

The Algerian foreign ministry’s statement framed the incident as more than just a legal dispute. Officials suggested the indictment was deliberately timed to sabotage diplomatic progress. Referring to a March 31 phone call between French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Algiers emphasized that the arrest appeared designed to “torpedo the process of reviving bilateral relations.”

Algeria also demanded the “immediate release” of the detained consular officer, underscoring the seriousness with which it views the matter. By publicly framing the situation as “unprecedented” and “no coincidence,” Algerian officials have made clear that they see the move as a broader challenge to Algerian sovereignty and diplomacy.

A complex history revisited

The Algeria protests French indictment drama cannot be separated from the long, complicated history between the two countries. France’s colonization of Algeria from 1830 to 1962 casts a long shadow over their modern-day relations. Even in recent years, tensions have flared over issues such as immigration, memory laws, and foreign policy in North Africa.

One of the most acute strains came in 2023, when France officially recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, a territory Algeria supports through its backing of the Polisario Front. The decision was seen in Algiers as a geopolitical betrayal, leading to the recall of the Algerian ambassador from Paris in protest.

Further strain emerged in November 2023 when Algeria arrested French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal on national security grounds. Sansal’s remarks to a French far-right outlet were interpreted as undermining Algeria’s territorial integrity. He was later sentenced to five years in prison.

Recent thaw risks collapse

Until the indictment of the consular official, there had been cautious optimism about a diplomatic reset. The Macron-Tebboune phone call was interpreted as a hopeful step forward, accompanied by a visit to Algiers by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. During the trip, Barrot spoke of entering a “new phase” of cooperation.

But now, that momentum appears in jeopardy. With Algeria framing the arrest of its diplomat as an attack on its sovereignty and France signaling its unwillingness to back down on the Boukhors investigation, the fragile trust that had begun to take root could rapidly erode.

Algeria’s reaction also reflects deep concerns over what it sees as France’s shifting posture in North Africa, particularly its closer alignment with Morocco. From Algiers’ perspective, the indictment of its official could be interpreted as part of a broader pattern of provocation and interference.

Boukhors: influencer or political dissident?

The individual at the center of the scandal, Amir Boukhors, embodies the intersection of social media influence and political dissent. His videos frequently critique the Algerian political elite, alleging corruption and human rights abuses. While France has granted him asylum, Algeria has issued nine international arrest warrants, accusing him of fraud and terrorism-related offenses.

Though Boukhors has remained defiant online, his brief disappearance in April and the swirling geopolitical fallout have intensified scrutiny on his case. His lawyer confirmed that he was abducted and released in less than 24 hours, but no further details have been made public about what transpired during that period.

France, meanwhile, appears determined to pursue justice within its own legal framework, regardless of diplomatic sensitivities. Its prosecutors see the case not merely as a political episode but as a criminal conspiracy involving serious violations of French law.

Broader implications for regional diplomacy

The Algeria protests French indictment episode is not just a bilateral spat. It highlights the growing challenge of navigating post-colonial diplomacy in a world where domestic politics, social media, and international law increasingly collide. It also raises questions about how far states can or should go in pursuing their dissidents abroad — and how host countries respond when accusations of transnational repression arise.

For France, balancing legal sovereignty with diplomatic prudence will be key to avoiding further escalation. For Algeria, the incident underscores the importance it places on controlling its narrative — both at home and abroad — and the high stakes involved when that control is challenged.

Outlook: icy winds ahead

As of now, both nations have taken hardened stances, with Algeria’s protest leaving little room for compromise unless France offers some form of diplomatic explanation or recourse. Without de-escalation, what was supposed to be a new beginning in Franco-Algerian relations could quickly devolve into another protracted period of suspicion and silence.

For now, the world watches as Algeria protests the French indictment of its official, with the fate of diplomatic rapprochement hanging in the balance — and the ghost of colonial history still lurking in the wings.