Rabat – Security services in Algeria killed two civilians on the night of Wednesday, September 18. The killings came during clashes between demonstrators and the police at Daira police headquarters.
The clashes erupted following a road accident, after a security service vehicle and a civilian motorcycle collided.
The accident claimed the life of the motorcycle driver, a 15-year old Algerian citizen.
The driver’s friend, 24, sustained “serious injuries,” according to a statement from the public prosecutor at the Court of Oued R’hiou.
The statement added that the road accident resulted in “vandalism,” with many people protesting the incident.
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The prosecutor also blamed the protesters for vandalizing public facilities and attempt to enter the police station of Oued R’hiou to “get the police officer responsible in the road accident.”
“After the police intervention, two people were injured which resulted in their death.”
The public prosecutor said that an investigation was opened to determine the case’s circumstances.
Wednesday’s incidents came after threats from Algerian army chief Gaid Salah, who ordered police to arrest protesters entering Algeria.
“I have instructed the national gendarmerie to deal with these actions with firmness,” said General Ahmed Gaid Salah.
Salah said that orders had been issued to stop “vehicles and coaches used” to bring protestors to Algiers by seizing them and “fining their owners.”
The chief, regarded as Algeria’s de facto leader after the resignation of former president Abdelaziz Bouteflika, is also insisting on the importance of an election before the end of this year.
Interim president Abdelkader Bensalah announced that the election will take place on December 12.
