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Rabat – French authorities are on the lookout for three Algerian social media influencers for inciting hatred and violence on TikTok.
The search was launched after the three influencers were signaled to the authorities in Lyon.
The prefect of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, Fabienne Buccio, wrote on his X profile that “Several influencers calling for hatred or violence in videos posted on TikTok have been reported to the relevant authorities by the Rhône prefecture in Lyon.”
Converging news reports said that the list includes Sofia Benlemmane, who has 34,700 followers, Abdesslam Bazooka, 35,900 followers, and Laksas06, with 18,100 followers.
The suspects have shared video content on TikTok saying hostile phrases attacking those who are actively speaking out against Algeria’s regime.
Abdesslam Bazooka took to TikTok on December 10 to specifically call these protestors “traitors,” making the threat to “slit their throats.”
In a similar video posted on TikTok on December 11, “laksas06” called on his followers among the diaspora in France to be “sleeping soldiers” aligned behind the Algerian regime and ready to defend it at whatever cost.
These incidents come following the arrest of three other Algerian Tiktokers in a crackdown on influencers inciting hatred and violence across France.
Read also: Algerian Media Frustrated By Spain’s Transfer of Sahara Airspace Control to Morocco
On Friday, the French authorities arrested two Algerian TikTokers in two separate operations; Imad Tintin in Échirolles, near Grenoble, and Youcef Aziria in Brest, Finisterre.
TinTin is facing charges of “death threats materialized through writing, images or other objects, committed due to race, ethnicity, nation or religion,” according to Grenoble prosecutor Eric Vaillant.
The third Algerian Tiktok influencer was apprehended by the French authorities on Sunday in Montpellier.
He was arrested after being reported by the city’s mayor for a video in which he called for violence against an Algerian dissident.
France is leading a long operation to crack down on influencers who incite hatred either through images, videos, or texts, confirming the country’s commitment to combat extremism.
