Latest news with #Doualemn
Morocco World
12-03-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
French Commission Approves Expulsion of Algerian TikToker ‘Doualemn'
Rabat – The expulsion commission in Hérault, France, issued today a favorable opinion supporting authorities' request to expel Algerian TikToker 'Doualemn.' The three-magistrate commission endorsed the previous decision to deport the Algerian social media influencer, whose previous deportation attempt sparked diplomatic tensions between Paris and Algiers, after Algeria denied him access to its territory. Doualemn's lawyer David-Bellouard characterized the ruling as politically motivated, claiming her client has become 'a standard-bearer for this government's migration policy.' The commission's advisory opinion came from a panel of two judicial court magistrates and one administrative judge following a public hearing on March 5 during which Doulamen received a five-month suspended prison term. The court issued the sentence charging Doulamen of 'incitement to commit a crime or offense.' The case centers on 59-year-old Boualem Naman, a maintenance worker known online as 'Doualemn' with approximately 138,000 TikTok followers. The Hérault prefect had requested the hearing to pursue territorial expulsion measures against him. David-Bellouard stated she would challenge any expulsion decision through emergency procedures and on substantive grounds. The controversy began in early January when Doualemn posted a video inciting hate speech against anti-Algerian activists. Read also: 'Algeria Seeks to Humiliate France': French-Algerian Diplomatic Tensions Deepen The video initially prompted French authorities to revoke his residence permit and deport him to Algeria on January 9. However, Algerian officials immediately returned him to France, triggering a diplomatic crisis between the nations. French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau responded to Algeria's move as a step 'seeking to humiliate France.' Algiers went on to deny entry to several irregular migrants, including the perpetrator of a February 22 attack in Mulhouse, leading to a further escalation in diplomatic tension. The Administrative Court of Melun subsequently annulled his obligation to leave French territory (OQTF), ordering authorities to restart proceedings with an adversarial debate, which led to his appearance before the expulsion commission. The case is part of broader ongoing tensions in Franco-Algerian relations, ignited particularly following Paris' pivotal position on Morocco's southern provinces. Algeria strongly opposes France's endorsement of Morocco's autonomy plan and its territorial integrity over its southern provinces. Tags: Algeria France RelationsDoualemn case
Morocco World
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Franco-Algerian Crisis Figure ‘Doualemn' Gets 5-Month Suspended Term
Doha – Algerian TikTok influencer Boualem Naman, known as 'Doualemn,' was sentenced to a five-month suspended prison term on Thursday by the Montpellier Criminal Court for 'public provocation to commit a crime.' During a highly publicized hearing on February 24, the prosecution had requested a six-month suspended prison sentence, while his lawyer, Jean-Baptiste Mousset, had pleaded for acquittal. The case has become a focal point in deteriorating diplomatic relations between France and Algeria. The 59-year-old maintenance worker, who had 138,000 TikTok followers, was found guilty of calling for the 'severe correction' of an Algerian opposition figure in a video posted in early January. 'The call to commit violence is characterized by the use of a term which he explains to mean 'giving slaps or spankings' targeting an identifiable person,' the court president stated, stressing that 'these could not be humorous terms.' The case took on diplomatic gravity when Algeria blundered by refusing to accept Doualemn after his deportation by French authorities. After being placed on a flight to Algiers on January 9, Doualemn was immediately sent back to France, an action French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau described as Algeria 'seeking to humiliate France.' The diplomatic tension escalated further when Algeria refused to accept a number of irregular migrants, including the perpetrator of a February 22 attack in Mulhouse. These refusals have further inflamed already tense relations between the two countries, which plunged into deeper discord after France's recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over its Sahara in July 2024. Doualemn's legal journey has been anything but straightforward. The Paris Administrative Court initially suspended his emergency expulsion order, deeming it unjustified. The Melun Administrative Court subsequently annulled his obligation to leave French territory (OQTF), requiring authorities to restart the expulsion process with a proper hearing. During his recent appearance before the Expulsion Commission (Comex) in Montpellier, Doualemn acknowledged his statements constituted a call to violence while downplaying their severity. 'I got carried away,' he said, adding that he was 'sincerely sorry.' His lawyer, Marie David-Bellouard, argued that the case was 'blown out of proportion to cover a political move by the Interior Minister.' The Comex is expected to deliver its opinion on March 12 regarding the new expulsion request filed by the Hérault prefect. Doualemn's defense team has already announced their intention to appeal the criminal court's decision. France-Algeria's deteriorating diplomacy The case remains emblematic of broader tensions between France and Algeria. In response to growing security concerns, Retailleau announced in early March the compilation of a list of 'several hundred Algerian nationals with dangerous profiles' for potential deportation. Retailleau framed Algeria's response to France's deportation demands as 'the test of truth,' while accusing Algeria of disregarding international agreements, including the 1944 Chicago Convention and a 1994 bilateral accord. France is also implementing a 'graduated response' at its borders. Retailleau confirmed that authorities have begun turning back some Algerian nationals at Roissy Airport, requiring diplomatic passport holders to present mission orders. France, citing Algeria's lack of cooperation, also announced travel restrictions for certain Algerian dignitaries, a move that Algeria's Foreign Affairs Ministry denounced as 'part of a long list of provocations, intimidations, and threats.' The ministry claimed it was 'surprised' by the decision, though French officials maintained that prior notifications had been sent. On February 28, French President Emmanuel Macron attempted to ease tensions with Algeria over migration issues while calling for the resolution of another pressing matter –the case of detained Franco-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal – who remains in custody in Algiers, despite having cancer. Tags: Algeria France RelationsDoualemn case
Morocco World
30-01-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
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
