French Police Arrest Three Algerian Influencers for Allegedly Inciting Violence on Social Media

French authorities have detained three Algerian men, identified as social media influencers, for allegedly sharing videos that incite violence. This development occurs amid strained relations between France and Algeria, a former colony. French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau confirmed the third arrest on Sunday evening. A report linked to his post on X highlighted that one influencer shared an anti-Semitic video with 138,000 TikTok followers.

The first arrest took place in Brest, where a 25-year-old influencer with over 400,000 TikTok followers was detained on Friday morning. His account has since been closed. He faces trial on February 24 in Brest for allegedly supporting terrorism online, a charge that could lead to a seven-year prison sentence. During questioning, he admitted to creating Arabic-language videos urging terror acts in France and abroad, targeting Algerian government opponents.

Algeria-France Diplomatic Tensions

The arrests coincide with renewed tensions between France and Algeria. In July, France altered its longstanding stance on the Western Sahara region, angering Algeria and leading to the withdrawal of its ambassador from Paris. Additionally, the detention of French-Algerian writer Boualem Sansal by Algeria since November has been condemned by the French government.

Despite these tensions, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot expressed a desire for improved relations with Algeria. However, he voiced concerns about Algeria's commitment to agreements made in 2022 aimed at repairing their relationship.

Legal Proceedings and Charges

The second arrest occurred in Grenoble, announced by the interior minister on X on Friday night. The influencer is accused of making offensive comments on TikTok and faces charges of inciting terrorism online, which carries a potential seven-year prison term. At a court hearing on Monday, he requested more time to prepare his defense and will remain in custody until his trial on March 5.

The third arrest took place in Montpellier; however, the local prosecutor's office has not yet responded to inquiries regarding this case.

While the French government has not directly linked these arrests to diplomatic tensions with Algeria, they highlight ongoing complexities in their relationship. The situation underscores the challenges both nations face in navigating their historical ties and current geopolitical issues.