The Criminal Court in the Algerian capital sentenced on Sunday a citizen living abroad to 20 years in prison in absentia for threatening to bomb the Algerian consulate in Libya through a social media post.
Algerian media sources explained that “the Casablanca Primary Criminal Court sentenced the fugitive accused, known as (B.L. Samir), for engaging abroad in a terrorist and subversive organization aimed at harming Algerian interests. The accused was convicted after the public prosecutor at the session requested the same punishment for the accused, along with an endorsement of a physical arrest warrant against him.”
The reports added that “the events of the case were recorded on February 16, 2023, when security services received a communication containing an electronic post on social media under a pseudonym, active within the group called Algerians Abroad in Libya.”
The accused also posted in this group a comment targeting the Algerian consulate in Libya with the following phrase: “The consulate needs a suicide belt.”
Furthermore, the full identity of the author of the post, who is located outside Algeria, was determined, and after investigations with his brother, it was found that he had left Algeria for Libya and stayed with his uncle, and since then, he has not entered the country.
Historical context shows that Algeria has indeed faced diplomatic security challenges in Libya, including periods when it had to close its embassy due to threats against its staff and the unstable conditions in the country. Algeria reopened its consulate in Tripoli in January 2022 after an eight-year closure, highlighting an effort to strengthen bilateral relations and improve communications between the Algerian and Libyan peoples. This move was part of a broader effort by Algeria to ensure the security and safety of its nationals abroad and to foster diplomatic ties with Libya amidst ongoing regional instability.
