French Court Blocks Doualemn Expulsion, Challenges Interior Minister's Decision
Doha - The Paris Administrative Court suspended on Wednesday the expulsion order of Algerian influencer Doualemn to Algeria, in what French media described as a major blow to Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau's deportation decision.
The 59-year-old social media personality, whose real name is Boualem Naman, had been initially expelled on January 9, but was promptly returned to France the same evening by Algerian authorities, triggering diplomatic tensions between Paris and Algiers.
In its ruling, the court acknowledged that the allegations against Doualemn 'could represent a serious threat to public order warranting expulsion,' specifically concerning 'calls for violence against an Algerian opposition figure residing in Algeria.'
However, the judge determined that Interior Minister Retailleau had incorrectly applied the 'absolute emergency' expulsion procedure.
'The judicial authority did not deem it necessary to place the individual in detention or even under judicial supervision pending his trial,' the court stated in its press release.
It also noted that 'the Interior Minister failed to establish the alleged connections with other radicalized Algerian influencers.'
The court's decision highlighted that Doualemn's case did not warrant an 'absolute emergency procedure that would deprive the individual of essential guarantees' before expulsion.
If the Interior Ministry wishes to proceed with the expulsion, it must now do so through 'ordinary expulsion procedures,' according to the court document.
Attorneys Julie Gonidec and Marie David-Bellouard, representing Doualemn, characterized the ruling as a 'setback for the Interior Minister, who attempted to bypass minimal procedural constraints in service of his brutal offensives against foreigners and his political agenda.'
They announced plans to file for their client's release 'as soon as possible.'
The case has evolved from initial allegations – with authorities' original translation suggesting a death threat – to the court's accepted version, which indicates an incitement to 'catch' someone and administer a 'severe correction.'
Despite suspending the expulsion order, the court upheld the withdrawal of Doualemn's residence permit.
The Interior Ministry now has one month to review the case. The influencer, who works as a maintenance worker, remains in a detention center while his legal situation is being resolved.
The case has become part of a broader diplomatic dispute, with Minister Retailleau stating Algeria sought to 'humiliate France' by returning Doualemn.
Algerian authorities countered by denouncing what they termed a 'disinformation campaign" by France. The influencer's trial is scheduled for February 24.
Read also: Algeria Summons French Ambassador Again Over 'Discriminatory Treatment' at Paris Airports
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