Escalating Tensions cast a Shadow Over Exiled Activists

Amidst strained relations between Paris and Algiers, Algerian dissidents residing in France are increasingly finding themselves targeted by the Algerian government and its supporters. This pressure manifests in various forms, forcing many to live discreet lives, constantly aware of potential threats.

Cyberbullying and Condemnations: Tools of Repression

For months, individuals critical of the Abdelmadjid Tebboune regime have reported facing intimidation tactics. These range from online harassment and cyberbullying campaigns to condemnations issued in absentia. The case of influencer Amine Dz, who was reportedly targeted a year prior, highlights the ongoing nature of this issue.

Living in Fear: A Day-to-Day Struggle

Chawki benzehra, an activist known for his outspoken criticism of the Algerian regime on social media, describes a life lived in constant vigilance. “I am very careful to go out mainly by car, not to take the same path, be incognito in the street. I choose the places with a lot of precautions. It’s no longer a normal life,” he explains, illustrating the profound impact of these threats on his daily existence.

Benzehra’s concerns are amplified by the recent discovery that his name appears on a list of thirty Algerian opponents living in France, reportedly compiled by Algiers. the facts is alleged to have been leaked from French state administrative databases by an official accused of espionage. While Benzehra benefits from political refugee status, he feels it offers insufficient protection. “It is more an administrative protection than a real protection of my physical integrity. Becuase of the practices of the Algerian regime and its agents present on French soil. Now, it is no longer possible to live normally by being opposing to the Algerian regime in france,” he laments.

Independence Advocacy and Legal Battles

Aksel Bellabbaci, an advocate for the independence of Kabylia, a region in northern Algeria, echoes Benzehra’s sentiments. “Of course, we always change our habits. We also change the place of residence. Because we are monitored all the time, we are followed all the time. We know what this diet is capable of,” he states, emphasizing the constant need for caution.

Bellabbaci’s situation is further elaborate by legal challenges. in June 2024, despite residing in France since 2012, he was summoned by French police and informed of an arrest warrant against him. The charges, he says, are based on “falky and absurd patterns,” accusing him of involvement in the 2021 Kabylia fires, which resulted in approximately 500 deaths, and the lynching of Djamel Bensmail. He states that “I was sentenced 14 times. In all, 203 years in prison ago plus two death sentences“.

Unlike Benzehra, Bellabbaci’s request for political asylum is still pending, raising the possibility of extradition should French justice approve it. The Court of Appeal in Paris has twice postponed its decision on his case, leaving him in a state of uncertainty.

France’s Role: A Balancing Act

The situation highlights the delicate balancing act France faces in protecting political refugees and dissidents while maintaining diplomatic relations with Algeria. The allegations of espionage and the targeting of individuals on French soil raise serious questions about the extent of Algerian influence and the safety of those who have sought refuge in France.