France promulgates new extradition convention with Algeria



Algerian flag (illustrative image). – SIPA

It’s official. Emmanuel Macron promulgated on Monday March 22 the new extradition agreement between France and Algeria, after its adoption by the Assembly in January and then by the Senate on March 17, indicates the law published Tuesday in the Official Journal.

The main contribution of this convention, concluded in January 2019 and which replaces a 1964 text, is to include a guarantee of non-application of the death penalty for extradition requests from Algeria, recalled on March 10 the rapporteur of the law in the Senate Edouard Courtial. In other words, if the death penalty has been pronounced, the Algerian authorities must undertake that it will not be carried out.

International arrest warrants issued on Sunday by Algeria

By this text, the two countries reciprocally commit to handing over prosecuted or convicted persons. The offenses that can give rise to extradition are those that can give rise to a custodial sentence of at least one year and both countries can refuse to extradite their own nationals and dual nationals.

This ratification comes as Algerian justice issued international arrest warrants on Sunday against, among others, blogger Amir Bokhours, alias “Amir Dz” and journalist Hichem Abboud, both established in France, accusing them of belonging to a terrorist group and subversive activities.

38 extradition requests finalized between the two countries, between 2014 and 2019

Between 2014 and 2019, 38 extradition requests were finalized between France and Algeria, including 30 requests to France and 8 requests to Algeria, according to the rapporteur of the text in the Senate.

Note that in March 2020, there were 2,450 Algerian nationals detained in France and 50 French detained in Algeria but most often for offenses committed in the territory where they are detained, therefore not concerned by the extradition agreement.



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