Rabat – Algerian President Abdelmajid Tebboune could face a new scandal amid reports on France’s potential freezing of the assets of about 20 Algerian dignitaries.
Mohamed Sifaoui, a French-Algerian investigative journalist, has revealed that two of Tebboune’s sons, Mohamed and Khaleld, hold assets in France.
Sifaoui made his remarks during an interview with Algerian journalist Abdou Semmar.
During the interview published this week, the journalist claimed that while Tebboune may have no assets in France, his sons do.
These assets could be seized and frozen by French authorities, which would see bilateral tensions escalate even further since the two countries started exchanging hostile diplomatic decisions in the aftermath of France’s endorsement of Morocco’s position on the Western Sahara dispute.
Sifaoui made several other revelations, including pointing out the abuse of power by the Algerian regime.
He said that Mohamed Tebboune was entrusted by his father with a government advisory role despite his lack of experience.
Mohamed Tebboune also has connections with Turkish businessmen, he suggested, adding that this would eventually land him in jail when his father’s mandate ends.
“They own commercial properties, stock assets, etc. What we call financial assets in other words, wealth… both of them have assets in France,” the Algerian journalist said, noting that this is “confirmed information.”
The journalist slammed the Algerian president for criticizing France while his sons have financial holdings there, noting that he not only relies on information from government reports but also verifies and fact-checks information himself.
“That’s why I haven’t published it yet,” he said. “I have the names and will probably publish them by the end of the week. But among those are the two sons of Abdelmadjid Tebboune.”
Sifaoui and his interviewer then both launched into a debate about the hypocrisy of the Algerian ruling class, slamming Algeria’s establishment for claiming to adopt an anti-French policy while their children and families hold active assets in France.
This is not the only bombshell revelation Sifaoui made about the Algerian regime’s involvement in similar scandals.
Beyond the regime’s interference in the domestic affairs of other countries, a new comprehensive investigation has shed light on clandestine operations allegedly orchestrated by the Algerian regime on French soil.
Last month, French outlet Le Journal du Dimanche reported that, under President Tebboune, the Algerian government has been actively involved in a campaign to suppress opposition voices abroad.
A senior French security official, speaking on condition of anonymity to the news outlet, said: “We possess reliable intelligence confirming that Algerian services did not act independently.”
This includes attempts to abduct or intimidate prominent dissidents residing in France, such as YouTuber Amir DZ and journalist Abdou Semmar.
Algeria and France have experienced political tensions for months.
According to L’Express, France is now considering freezing the assets of several dignitaries of the Algerian regime.
There have also been exchanges of hostile measures from both countries, including travel restrictions against officials from both sides.
In recent years, both countries have taken measures to expel officials or made other similar measures.
In May, diplomatic sources told AFP that Algeria was planning to expel more French officials.
In response, French Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot confirmed that ties between France and Algeria were “completely frozen.”
