Algeria Summons French Ambassador Over Detention of Diplomat in Paris

Algeria has summoned the French ambassador in Algiers to formally protest the arrest of an Algerian consular employee in Paris, according to a statement released by the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday.

The ministry confirmed that Secretary-General Lounès Magramane conveyed a strong protest to the French envoy regarding the French judiciary’s decision to place the consular staff member in pre-trial detention.

Algeria expressed its "categorical rejection" of both the form and substance of the justifications presented by the French public prosecutor for terrorism-related cases. The detained diplomat is accused of involvement in the 2024 abduction of controversial figure Amir Boukhors, also known as “Amir DZ”.

In its statement, the Algerian Foreign Ministry said the consular employee was apprehended in a public area and taken into custody without any prior diplomatic notification, which it labelled a “flagrant violation” of the privileges and immunities granted to diplomatic and consular personnel.

Algiers also criticised the security arguments presented by France’s Ministry of the Interior during the hearings, calling them "weak and unconvincing."

The Algerian government demanded the immediate release of its consular official and full respect for his diplomatic rights. It further asserted that the incident marks an unprecedented judicial escalation in Algerian-French relations and is not coincidental, but rather part of a broader effort to undermine efforts to restore bilateral ties.

“This regrettable and inappropriate development reveals that certain French circles do not share the political will to revitalise Algerian-French relations,” the statement added.

Algeria warned that the consequences of this “unacceptable and unjustified” development could be severe. The government reaffirmed it will not leave the matter unanswered and will take all necessary measures to ensure the full protection of its diplomatic staff.