France-algeria relations: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barot said on Monday (14 April) that Algeria has asked 12 French officials to leave the country in 48 hours. He further said that it is associated with the arrest of three Algerian citizens in France. According to AFP News report, External Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said, “I am talking to Algerian officials to pay attention to the matter related to these expulsion. If the decision to send our officers back is upheld, we will have no option but to reply immediately.”

The reason behind the expels of French officials is being considered as the social media influencer Amir Baukhors. Amir DZ has more than a million followers on the tick talk of Amir Baukhorce. He has been living in France since 2016 and was given political asylum in 2023. He was kidnapped in the suburb of Paris in April 2024 last year. The next morning he was released. His lawyer claimed that this kidnapping was politically motivated.

Algeria’s response to arrest

On 11 April 2025, French prosecutors arrested three Algerian citizens in the rich Baukhorce kidnapping case, one of whom was also an officer of the consulate. In response, Algeria ordered 12 French officials to leave the country in 48 hours. Members of the French Home Ministry are also involved in this expulsion. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barot made a statement. He said that if the decision to send our officers back remains intact, then we have to take retaliation.

France and Algeria relationship

The relationship between France and Algeria has already been tense due to history, colonialism and political disagreement. This matter is proving to be like putting oil on it. The people demanding political asylum in France against the Algerian social media influencer Amir Baukhorce have demanded that Mir DZ be extradited as he is accused of fraud and terrorism. In this regard, nine international arrest warrants have been issued against Amir. Alziers says that the arrest of the people of their country will weaken efforts to improve bilateral relations.