World News
Algeria's president seeks death penalty for arsonists after deadly forest fires
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune directed the justice ministry to draft legal amendments by September 15 following wildfires that killed at least 12 people.
The short version
- Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has ordered the justice ministry to draft criminal law amendments introducing the death penalty for arsonists by September 15.
- The move follows more than 100 wildfires in north-eastern Algeria that killed at least 12 people, injured dozens, and displaced thousands.
- While capital punishment remains in Algeria's penal code for certain offenses, the country has not carried out an execution since 1993.
Key facts
- President Abdelmadjid Tebboune ordered the justice ministry to introduce criminal law amendments by September 15 that would apply the death penalty to anyone convicted of intentionally starting forest fires.[BBC News]
- Under Algeria's current law, deliberately starting forest fires carries a penalty of up to 30 years in prison, or life imprisonment in certain circumstances.[BBC News]
- More than 100 wildfires recently broke out in northeastern Algeria amidst an intense heatwave, resulting in at least 12 deaths and widespread displacement.[BBC News]
- Tebboune stated that authorities are not ruling out foul play and have launched investigations into the cause, intensity, and damage of the fires.[BBC News]
- The Algerian president ordered reparations for damaged homes and infrastructure, along with compensation payments for affected families.[BBC News]
What remains uncertain
- It remains unverified whether any of the recent wildfires were actually caused by intentional arson, as investigations into the causes of the fires are still ongoing.[BBC News]