Algeria president seeks death penalty for arsonists after deadly forest fires

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has proposed reinstating the death penalty for arsonists in light of devastating forest fires that have claimed at least 12 lives. The president instructed the justice ministry to amend the criminal law to introduce capital punishment for individuals found guilty of intentionally starting fires in forested areas.

Although capital punishment remains permitted under the country's penal code, no execution has been carried out since 1993. Over 100 wildfires have been reported in recent days in the north-eastern region of Algeria, with most of them being extinguished. Tebboune expressed doubt regarding foul play and pledged to conduct necessary investigations, particularly due to the intensity of the fires.

He set a deadline of September 15 for amendments to the law that would allow for the death sentence for anyone convicted of intentionally igniting forest fires. Currently, the penalty for deliberately starting forest fires ranges from a maximum of 30 years imprisonment to life imprisonment in certain cases. Severe heatwaves swept through northern Algeria last week, resulting in extensive destruction, numerous injuries, and the displacement of thousands.

Algerian civil authorities were still engaged in battling the fires on Sunday afternoon, with the Algerian Press Service reporting that 18 out of 19 fires that occurred in the preceding 24 hours had been put out. Tebboune promised compensation to affected families and repairs to damaged homes and essential services, as well as investigations into the extent of the damage and losses caused by the wildfires.

Although forest fires are a common occurrence in Algeria during the summer, climate change has heightened the severity and intensity of recent incidents.