Algeria to reintroduce death penalty for arsonists after deadly wildfires

Algeria forest fires death penalty Abdelmadjid Tebboune penal code amendment arson investigation

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has ordered the reintroduction of the death penalty for individuals convicted of intentional arson following a series of devastating forest fires. The wildfires, which primarily affected the provinces of Bejaia, Jijel, and Tizi Ouzou, have resulted in at least 12 deaths and left dozens injured.

Tebboune has instructed the Minister of Justice to draft amendments to the penal code by September 15 to allow for capital punishment in these cases. While the death penalty remains in Algerian law, the country has observed a de facto moratorium on executions since 1993. The President noted that several fires appeared to have started simultaneously in the early morning hours, suggesting potential criminal sabotage.

In response to the disaster, the government has initiated several emergency measures. Authorities have arrested several suspects in connection with the fires, and the state has pledged immediate and full compensation for families who lost homes, livestock, or crops. Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb is overseeing the implementation of an emergency plan to restore essential services, including water, electricity, gas, and telecommunications, to the affected regions.

Entities

Abdelmadjid Tebboune · Algeria · Béjaïa · Jijel · Lotfi Boudjemaa · Ministry of Justice · Mohamed Seddik Ait Messaoudene · Sifi Ghrieb

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] At least 12 people have died due to the forest fires near Béjaïa, Jijel, and Tizi-Ouzou. www.lfm.ch
[○ 1 SOURCE] The restoration of electricity, drinking water, and telephone networks is a top priority to be completed within one week. algeriepatriotique.com
[● 5 SOURCES] Several individuals suspected of involvement in starting the fires have been arrested. 1001infos.net · www.algerie360.com · www.lfm.ch · mediaindonesia.com
[● 3 SOURCES] President Abdelmadjid Tebboune announced the reinstatement of the death penalty for arsonists. 1001infos.net · www.lfm.ch
[● 3 SOURCES] The President set a deadline of September 15 for the full compensation of all fire victims. algeriepatriotique.com · 1001infos.net
[● 2 SOURCES] Algeria has declared three days of official mourning and canceled all cultural and sporting events. www.lfm.ch
[● 7 SOURCES] The Minister of Justice has been ordered to prepare a revision of the Penal Code by September 15. 1001infos.net · www.lfm.ch · www.algerie360.com · www.antaranews.com · mediaindonesia.com · +1 more
[● 5 SOURCES] Death penalty executions will only occur after all legal appeals are exhausted. www.antaranews.com · mediaindonesia.com · www.viva.co.id · 1001infos.net · www.lfm.ch
[● 4 SOURCES] Recent forest fires in Algeria have resulted in at least 12 deaths. www.antaranews.com · mediaindonesia.com · www.viva.co.id · www.lfm.ch
[● 3 SOURCES] The justice minister was instructed to submit amendments to the penal code by September 15. www.antaranews.com · mediaindonesia.com · www.viva.co.id
[● 6 SOURCES] Algeria has maintained a de facto moratorium on death penalty executions since 1993. www.antaranews.com · mediaindonesia.com · www.viva.co.id · www.lfm.ch · dete.gr · +1 more
[● 9 SOURCES] President Abdelmadjid Tebboune ordered the application of the death penalty for those proven to have intentionally set forest fires. www.antaranews.com · mediaindonesia.com · www.viva.co.id · 1001infos.net · www.algerie360.com · +4 more