Rabat – A French judge has issued an international arrest warrant against Salaheddine Selloum, a former first secretary at the Algerian embassy in Paris, for his alleged role in a terrorist conspiracy linked to the kidnapping of Amir Boukhors, known as Amir DZ, an Algerian YouTuber and political refugee in France.
Amir DZ was abducted in April 2024 in Val-de-Marne, near Paris. French authorities accuse Selloum of participating in the unlawful arrest, detention, and kidnapping of the influencer. The French national anti-terrorism prosecutor requested the arrest warrant due to “serious suspicions” of Selloum’s involvement in these crimes, Le Monde reported.
The judge issued the international warrant on July 25, aiming to prevent impunity for Algerian agents suspected of serious offenses. Selloum served as first secretary at the Algerian embassy in Paris between 2021 and 2024.
Algerian activist and journalist Oualid Kebir described the arrest warrant as a “serious and unprecedented judicial and political development.”
“The case is one of the most sensitive issues in the relations between Paris and Algeria,” Kebir added.
This development adds to the already tense relations between France and Algeria. Earlier this week, French President Emmanuel Macron sent a letter to Algerian Prime Minister François Bayrou urging the government to act with “greater firmness and determination” against Algeria and its authorities.
“The Algerian authorities have made the deliberate choice not to respond to our repeated calls over recent months to work together in the interest of our two nations,” reads the letter.
Emmanuel cited Algeria’s failure to honor agreements, particularly regarding the return of deported nationals, as well as the case of imprisoned French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal.
Following this, France suspended a visa exemption deal for Algerian diplomats and tightened visa rules, which Algeria responded to by reinstating visa requirements for French officials.
