Algeria president seeks death penalty for arsonists after deadly forest fires

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has proposed the reinstatement of the death penalty for individuals who set fires in forested areas, following a series of deadly wildfires that have claimed at least 12 lives. The official death toll is 12, but independent news sources estimate the figure to be much higher, with investigative journalist Nozha Khelalef reporting a potential toll of 200 fatalities.

The president has instructed the justice ministry to amend the criminal code, reinstating capital punishment for arsonists, an option that has not been utilized since 1993. Over 100 wildfires have been recorded in recent days in northern Algeria, with most being extinguished, but foul play has not been ruled out by Tebboune. He has set a deadline of September 15 for the necessary legal changes, while underscoring the intensity of the fires and the need for thorough investigations.

The fires, which occurred during an intense heatwave in North Africa, have caused extensive destruction, injured dozens, and displaced thousands. Civil authorities are still combating some of the fires, with 18 out of 19 fires from the past 24 hours having been extinguished by Sunday afternoon. In response to the disaster, Tebboune pledged to provide compensation to affected families and repair damaged homes and essential services, as well as conduct investigations into the damage and losses caused by the wildfires.

Algeria frequently experiences forest fires during the summer months; however, climate change has intensified the severity and frequency of such incidents in recent years.