Rabat – A French government worker has been charged in Paris for allegedly providing secret information to Algeria, AFP reported today.
The employee, who works at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, is accused of passing details about Algerian citizens and political opponents living in France to Algeria’s intelligence services. He was formally charged in December and is now under judicial supervision.
The suspect is accused of sharing confidential information with an Algerian intelligence officer working under diplomatic cover at Algeria’s consulate in Créteil. Investigators believe he provided personal details and asylum request information of Algerian nationals, including well-known opposition figures.
French authorities charged him with espionage-related crimes, including “intelligence with a foreign power” and “delivering information affecting the nation’s fundamental interests.”
Reports suggest that the suspect obtained some of the information through a social worker at the French Office for Immigration and Integration (Ofii). Investigators say the two had a close personal relationship, and he allegedly asked her to access a confidential database. The social worker was charged in February for violating professional secrecy, but denied receiving any compensation.
Authorities suspect the Algerian consulate official was working as an intelligence agent and had requested information on several individuals. Among them were political opponents such as Amir Boukhors and Mohamed Larbi Zitout, both wanted under international arrest warrants for terrorism, as well as influencer Chawki Benzehra.
The investigation also revealed that some of these individuals had been victims of threats, violence, or even kidnapping attempts, a “source close to the investigation” told AFP.
The case first came to the attention of France’s domestic intelligence agency (DGSI) in June 2024. In November, the case was assigned to two investigating judges, who are continuing their probe into espionage and security breaches. The alleged Algerian intelligence agent has not been formally charged at this stage.
The lawyer representing the accused French employee told AFP that his client was a victim of threats and manipulation by a foreign power.
Relations between Algiers and Paris are the worst they have ever been in recent years, with a series of incidents straining ties between the two sides. A notable example is the recent case involving Boualem Sansal, A French-Algerian author who was arrested in Algeria last November, as well as other incidents in which the North African regime has not cooperated in consular affairs.
France’s recent official recognition of Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara has also strained relations with Algeria, which is grappling with their increasing isolation on the international stage.
