Algeria president seeks death penalty for arsonists after deadly forest fires
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune says he is not ruling out foul play after 100 wildfires were recorded.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune is advocating for the reintroduction of the death penalty for individuals found guilty of arson, following a series of devastating forest fires that have claimed at least 12 lives.
President Tebboune has instructed the justice ministry to amend criminal law to include capital punishment for arsonists. While the death penalty is still part of Algeria's penal code for certain offenses, no executions have been carried out since 1993.
In recent days, over 100 wildfires have been reported in the northeastern region of the country, with the majority now under control. On Saturday, Tebboune indicated that he was not dismissing the possibility of foul play, stating that thorough investigations would be conducted, particularly given the intensity of the blazes.
On Sunday, he set a deadline of September 15 for the implementation of amendments that would allow for the death sentence for anyone convicted of deliberately igniting fires in forested areas. Currently, intentionally starting forest fires carries a penalty of up to 30 years in prison, or life imprisonment in specific circumstances.
Last week, deadly fires ravaged extensive areas of northern Algeria, causing significant destruction, injuring numerous individuals, and displacing thousands. These fires coincided with a severe heatwave in northern Africa, with Algeria and Tunisia experiencing particular impact.
As of Sunday afternoon, Algerian civil authorities were still working to extinguish some remaining fires. The Algerian Press Service reported that 18 of the 19 fires that had erupted in the preceding 24 hours had been put out.
The Algerian president has mandated compensation for affected families, along with repairs to damaged residences and essential services. He also announced investigations into the full scope of damage and losses resulting from the fires.
Although Algeria typically experiences forest fires during the summer, climate change has intensified the severity and impact of recent wildfires in the nation.