**Algeria to Reinstate Death Penalty for Deliberate Arson Following Deadly Wildfires**
Algiers, Algeria – In a decisive move to combat the rising threat of wildfires, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has announced the restoration of the death penalty for individuals convicted of deliberately starting fires. This decision comes in the wake of devastating wildfires that have claimed at least 12 lives and injured dozens across the country.
On Sunday, President Tebboune instructed the government to amend the Penal Code by September 15, allowing for capital punishment to be applied “with immediate execution” for those found guilty of arson. This marks a significant shift in Algeria's legal stance, as the country has maintained a de facto moratorium on executions since 1993, despite courts continuing to impose death sentences.
Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb confirmed on Monday that the justice minister has been assigned the task of preparing the necessary draft legislation, which will be reviewed by the Council of Ministers before being forwarded to Parliament for consideration.
The announcement follows a series of wildfires that erupted on August 26, affecting several northern provinces of Algeria. Interior Minister Said Sayoud reported that the wildfires led to the deaths of 12 individuals, with at least 54 others injured in the Bejaia province, six of whom are in critical condition. In response to the tragedy, President Tebboune declared three days of national mourning to honor the victims.
In addition to the legislative changes, Prime Minister Ghrieb pledged that the state would fully compensate victims for all material losses incurred by the wildfires, including damage to homes, crops, and livestock, with payments expected to be processed by September 15.
Algeria has a history of suffering from severe wildfires during the summer months. In August 2021, at least 90 people, including soldiers involved in rescue efforts, lost their lives due to blazes that ravaged the Kabylie region. In the aftermath of those fires, numerous suspects were sentenced to death, highlighting the government's ongoing struggle to address the issue of arson and its devastating consequences.
The General Directorate of Civil Protection reported that its personnel have been actively engaged in firefighting efforts, extinguishing 35 vegetation fires nationwide between Sunday and Monday morning, with 15 of those affecting forested areas. Last Thursday, the authority noted that 147 out of 193 fires recorded across various provinces had been successfully extinguished.
While investigations into the causes of the recent wildfires are ongoing, authorities have not yet confirmed that all incidents were intentionally set. In July, four individuals were placed in pretrial detention in connection with separate cases of alleged deliberate fires on forest land, as reported by the Algerian Press Service.
As Algeria grapples with the dual challenges of environmental disasters and the potential for increased punitive measures, the government’s response reflects a heightened urgency to protect both lives and property from the threat of arson. The proposed reinstatement of the death penalty for such offenses underscores the seriousness with which the authorities are approaching the issue, aiming to deter future incidents and ensure justice for victims of these tragic events.