The diplomatic relationship between France and Algeria has reached a new low following the kidnapping of Algerian influencer Amir Boukhors, also known as Amir DZ. This incident, which has drawn international attention, has led to significant political ramifications as three men, including an employee of the Algerian consulate, have been charged in connection with the case.
Amir Boukhors, a prominent critic of the Algerian government and a vocal opponent of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, was kidnapped on the night of April 29 to April 30, 2024, in the Paris suburb of Val-de-Marne. Boukhors, who has been residing in France since 2016 and boasts over 1.1 million followers on TikTok, has been a thorn in the side of the Algerian regime, regularly using his social media platforms to denounce corruption and advocate for political change.
According to Boukhors's complaint, he was approached by four individuals, two of whom were wearing police armbands, as he returned home around 11:30 PM. "They immediately put handcuffs on me," he recounted to France 2. "They told me that an officer from the judicial police was waiting for me at the police station." However, instead of a police station, he was taken to an isolated container in Pontault-Combault, Seine-et-Marne, where he soon realized he had been kidnapped.
During his captivity, Boukhors claims he was forced to swallow sleeping pills and was interrogated by two women regarding a supposed drug trafficking incident in Amsterdam. "If you return the drug truck you hijacked in Amsterdam, they will release you," one of the women allegedly told him, according to his account in Le Monde.
After twenty-seven hours, Boukhors was released on the side of a road. He stated that his captors told him, "You go straight, take a train, and go home." An unknown driver later picked him up and took him back to his residence.
Following his release, Boukhors accused the Algerian secret services of attempting to intimidate him, and he filed a complaint. His lawyer, Me Éric Plouvier, noted that this was not the first attack on Boukhors; the first incident reportedly occurred in 2022. In February 2025, the investigation was handed over to the criminal brigade and the DGSI (General Directorate for Internal Security), leading to the arrest of three individuals on April 11, 2025.
Among those arrested was an employee of the Algerian consulate in Créteil, who, while lacking a diplomatic passport, held a service passport. The French National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office (Pnat) charged the three men with kidnapping, sequestration, and arbitrary detention in connection with a terrorist enterprise. This development has sparked outrage and raised questions about the involvement of Algerian state actors in the kidnapping.
In response to the arrests, Algeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned what it termed an "unacceptable judicial cabal," asserting that the investigation was based solely on the fact that the mobile phone of the consular agent had been located near Boukhors's home. The Algerian government has retaliated by ordering the expulsion of twelve French officials, a move that has further strained relations between the two countries.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has urged Algeria to reconsider its expulsion measures, stating that if the decision to expel French agents remains, France will have no choice but to respond accordingly. Barrot's comments came amid heightened tensions following the arrests and the Algerian government's aggressive stance.
The situation has prompted various political figures in France to voice their concerns. Éric Coquerel, the president of the National Assembly's finance committee, questioned the role of the Minister of the Interior in escalating tensions, suggesting that the arrest of the consular employee was expected to provoke retaliation. He called for renewed dialogue between French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
Hasni Abidi, director of the Center for Studies and Research on the Arab and Mediterranean World in Geneva, emphasized that reciprocity is a fundamental principle of Algerian foreign policy, especially regarding France. He noted that the expulsion of French officials was a significant escalation in the already fraught diplomatic relationship.
As the diplomatic fallout continues, the implications of Boukhors’s kidnapping extend beyond individual grievances to potentially reshape Franco-Algerian relations. The Algerian government has accused France of meddling in its affairs, while France insists on the autonomy of its judicial processes.
In a related development, a separate investigation has emerged involving a French Ministry of Economy employee who was charged in December 2024 with leaking sensitive information to an Algerian diplomat. This information reportedly related to various opponents of the Algerian regime, including Boukhors, and raised alarms about the safety of those targeted.
As these events unfold, the future of diplomatic relations between France and Algeria hangs in the balance. Both nations have expressed a desire to return to a more amicable state, but the ongoing tensions and recent incidents complicate efforts for reconciliation. The upcoming visit by a delegation of French lawmakers to Algeria, scheduled for May 8, now faces uncertainty due to the escalating crisis.
The situation remains fluid, with diplomatic channels still open, but the stakes are high as both countries navigate their historical complexities and the implications of these recent events. The world watches closely as the fallout from Amir Boukhors's kidnapping continues to reverberate through the corridors of power in both Paris and Algiers.
