Latest news with #AkselBellabbaci
Asharq Al-Awsat
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
France Expels Algerian Diplomats in Tit-for-tat Decision
France said Wednesday it will expel Algerian diplomats in response to Algeria's decision to do the same. The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs said in a statement it had summoned Algerian officials to inform them of the decision, describing it as 'strict reciprocity' after 15 French officials were expelled from Algiers on Sunday. France called on Algerian authorities to 'demonstrate responsibility and to return to a demanding and constructive dialogue that had been initiated by our authorities, in the interest of both countries.' 'The Algerians wanted to send back our agents; we are sending theirs back,' French Foreign Minister Noël Barrot said on Wednesday, speaking to French broadcaster BFMTV. Algeria said it expelled French officials on Sunday because France had broken procedures, including in how it assigned new diplomats to replace a different set that were expelled last month. Despite economic ties and security cooperation, France and Algeria for decades have clashed over issues ranging from immigration to the painful legacy of French colonialism. Wednesday's decision came as Kabyle opposition figure Aksel Bellabbaci walked free after a Paris appeals court shunned Algeria's request to extradite him on terrorism charges. The 42-year-old vice president of the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabyle (MAK) has lived in France since 2012.
Morocco World
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
France Shuns Algeria's Request to Extradite Kabyle Opposition Figure
Rabat — Kabyle opposition figure Aksel Bellabbaci walked free on Wednesday after a Paris appeals court shunned Algeria's request to extradite him on terrorism charges. 'The extradition request is without object,' declared the extradition chamber president, prompting brief applause from supporters in the courtroom. The 42-year-old vice president of the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabyle (MAK) has lived in France since 2012. Algeria accused Bellabbaci of orchestrating deadly wildfires that killed 90 people in Kabylia in August 2021 and instigating the mob killing of painter Djamel Bensmaïl, mistakenly identified as an arsonist while helping fight the blazes. 'This brings great relief,' said defense attorney Gilles-William Goldnadel, adding that 'it's a beautiful day for French justice.' Anticipating Algiers' reaction to the French court's decision, Goldnadel slammed the North African country for lacking justice, saying, 'There is no justice in Algeria while the dictatorship oppresses its citizens, especially the Kabyle people.' Bellabbaci faces 14 charges in Algeria, some carrying the death penalty — a punishment still on the books despite a moratorium since 1993. He hasn't returned to his homeland since August 2019. Outside the courtroom, Bellabbaci said, 'The fight continues because we won't stop here. The Kabyle people are innocent of the accusations made by the Algerian regime.' Kabyle struggle for self-determination under Algeria's mistreatment Kabyle people started fighting for their autonomy against post-colonial Algeria, following the country's independence from French rule in July 1962. The journey of Kabyle struggle saw several events, including the war of Kabylia against post-colonial Algeria (1963-1965), the events of At Yiraten in June 1974, and the revolt of 1980 known as the 'Amazigh Spring.' Read also: Kabyle Independence Leader Announces Historic 'Rebirth' of Kabyle State Algeria's Amazigh people, estimated at approximately 5.5 million, claim recognition of their language and culture as well as political independence. The Kabyle people voice their demands through the Amazigh movement MAK-ANAVAD, which currently comprises two branches, namely MAK and the Provisional Kabylian Government (GPK). MAK, formed in June 2003, carries out field work, while Kabyle's diplomatic actions are channeled through the GPK, formed in Paris in June 2010. In 2024, the US State Department's annual report indicated , for the second time, that Algeria's designation of the MAK as a terrorist group was baseless, politically motivated, and reflects political dynamics within the country.
