Algerian President Proposes Death Penalty for Forest Arsonists Amid Deadly Blazes

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has advocated for capital punishment for those found guilty of deliberately starting forest fires. The announcement follows a destructive period during which over 100 wildfires swept across the nation, resulting in the deaths of at least 34 individuals, including 10 soldiers.

President Tebboune stated that investigations are under way, indicating that authorities are not dismissing the possibility of malicious intent behind some of the blazes. The catastrophic fires have primarily affected the north-eastern regions of Algeria, a nation that experiences frequent summer wildfires exacerbated by extreme heat.

The President's stance underscores the government's harsh approach to acts deemed to threaten national security and public safety, particularly in the context of recurring environmental disasters. The emphasis on intentionality suggests a broader concern over internal destabilisation rather than solely natural causes for the extensive damage and loss of life.