Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune plans to lift a 33-year moratorium on executions to impose the death penalty on individuals convicted of intentional arson, following a series of fatal wildfires that left at least twelve people dead in the country’s northern and eastern provinces, according to reports from NOS Nieuws.
Algiers Seeks Penal Code Revision by September 15
President Tebboune directed the Ministry of Justice and the military during a recent meeting to modify the Penal Code before September 15 to permit the execution of convicted arsonists, according to NOS Nieuws. While Algeria maintains the death penalty within its legal framework, the nation has observed a strict moratorium on carrying out executions since 1993.
Government officials stated that multiple suspects have been arrested on suspicion of starting the fires, though authorities have not yet formally established whether the blazes were deliberately set.
Suspicious Circumstances Surrounding Recent Wildfires
President Tebboune addressed the unusual timing and spread of the disasters through statements carried by the national press agency APS. According to APS coverage cited by NOS Nieuws, the president noted that the fires erupted simultaneously around 1:00 AM and spread rapidly despite the absence of wind, prompting authorities to pursue heavy criminal penalties for anyone found responsible.
Did you know? Algeria has experienced severe seasonal wildfires in recent years, with previous outbreaks resulting in approximately 90 deaths in 2021 and at least 34 fatalities in 2023, alongside six additional deaths reported in separate provinces the month prior to the current disaster, as documented by NOS Nieuws.
Local sources cited by NOS Nieuws suggest that the actual death toll from the current northern and eastern fires may exceed the twelve confirmed fatalities reported by the government.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Algeria still have the death penalty?
Yes, the death penalty remains written into Algerian law, but the country has maintained a moratorium preventing actual executions since 1993, according to NOS Nieuws.
When does President Tebboune want the law changed?
According to NOS Nieuws, President Tebboune instructed the Ministry of Justice and the military to revise the Penal Code prior to September 15.
How many people died in the recent fires?
Authorities have confirmed at least twelve deaths across three provinces east of Algiers, though local sources cited by NOS Nieuws suspect the real total is higher.
What are your thoughts on this policy shift in Algeria? Share your perspective in the comments below, and subscribe to our newsletter for ongoing updates on international legal developments and environmental policy.
Keep reading