The influencer Amir Dz had been removed in April 2024 in the Paris region. The international mandate against the Algerian diplomat was issued on July 25 by an investigating judge for arrest, kidnapping and sequestration.
An international arrest warrant was issued against a former Algerian Embassy official in France in the investigation into the kidnapping of an Algerian opponent in 2024, AFP learned from a source close to the file on Saturday.
A judicial source confirmed to AFP the issue of this arrest warrant “against the former first secretary of the Algerian Embassy in France”.
The arrest warrant, targeting SS, an Algerian 37, was issued on July 25 by an investigating judge for “Arrest, kidnapping and sequestration in relation to a terrorist company and association of criminal terrorist criminals”according to the source close to the file.
On July 23, the national anti -terrorist prosecution (PNAT), which resumed the investigation in February, had requested the issuance of an arrest warrant against SS, believing that there were “serious presumptions” that he committed the alleged facts, she said.
Influencer Amir Boukhors, known as Amir Dz, was removed on April 29, 2024 in the Paris region and then released on May 1.
“An important advance”
In an inquiry report dated April, the Directorate General of Internal Security (DGSI) incriminates this former official of the Algerian Embassy in Paris, had reported another source close to the file.
Presented as a “Algerian non-commissioned officer of the DGDSE”an intelligence service of this country, SS would have been present in Paris “Under the diplomatic coverage of first secretary” of the Algerian Embassy.
It is “An important advance to avoid as much as possible the impunity of the Algerian agents involved in the facts which are of obvious gravity”reacted Eric Plouvier, lawyer for Amir Boukhors, solicited by AFP.
At least seven people indicted
Man is probably no longer in France and could assert possible immunity.
“It would be perilous to consider that the arrest of political opponents on French territory is within the scope of the functions of a diplomat and once his allegedly diplomatic mission ended, the Algerian counter-espionage agent had only functional immunity” Given to state agents, added Me Plouvier.
At least seven people, including an Algerian consular agent, have been indicted. They are suspected of having been mainly performers who acted against remuneration, without political mobile, according to other sources close to the file.
Advanced investigations is “A relief”reacted to AFP Amir Boukhors.
“I saw death” During his abduction which lasted “27 hours”in a forest in Seine-et-Marne, he said.
Located in France since 2016, Amir Boukhors, 42, has a million subscribers on Tiktok. Opposing the regime of the Algerian president Abdelmadjid Tebboune, he obtained the political asylum in France in 2023.
Algiers issued nine international arrest warrants against him in particular for fraud or terrorist offenses. French justice refused its extradition in 2022.
“In the event of a future arrest, it will of course be very interesting to hear the explanations of the person concerned (SS) and to try to know who he received the orders to carry out this special operation”commented Me Plouvier, believing “Difficult today to wait, in the current context, cooperation of the Algerian authorities”.
This legal proceedings have rekindled tensions between France and Algeria, whose relations have continued to deteriorate since the summer of 2024.
