Algerian President Proposes Death Penalty for Deliberate Forest Fires

Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has proposed the death penalty for individuals who intentionally start forest fires, following recent wildfires that resulted in the deaths of at least 12 people and injuries to 54 others in northeastern Algeria. Tebboune instructed the justice minister on Sunday to prepare a proposal by September 15 to amend the penal code to include capital punishment for those convicted of such offenses, as reported by state media. Currently, the penal code allows for sentences of up to 30 years in prison or life imprisonment for deliberately starting forest fires. The president noted that Algeria has not executed anyone since 1993. He also directed provincial governors to provide all available information regarding the fires to security authorities, suggesting that some may have been deliberately ignited. "We saw videos and noticed that a number of fires broke out at the same time, at around 1am, which raises many questions," he stated. This announcement followed three days of national mourning for the victims of the fires, which affected the provinces of Jijel, Bejaia, and Tizi Ouzou. In response to the crisis, Tebboune ordered compensation for affected families and the establishment of committees to assess damages. He instructed officials to restore essential services such as electricity, gas, water, and telecommunications in the affected areas by Saturday, and to facilitate repairs to damaged homes. The president emphasized the need for normal life to resume in these areas within a week. As of the latest reports, at least 46 fires are still active across the country, with a total of 193 fires recorded in the past 24 hours.