Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has called for the reinstatement of the death penalty for arsonists in response to devastating forest fires that have claimed at least 12 lives and caused widespread destruction. The president directed the justice ministry to amend criminal law to reintroduce capital punishment for individuals found guilty of intentionally starting fires in forested areas.
More than 100 wildfires were recorded in the country's northeastern regions in recent days, with efforts ongoing to extinguish the remaining blazes. President Tebboune stated Sunday that foul play was not being ruled out and ordered thorough investigations into the intensity of the fires. He has set a deadline of September 15 for the proposed legal amendments.
Under existing law, deliberately starting forest fires carries a penalty of up to 30 years in prison, or life imprisonment in severe cases. No executions have been carried out in Algeria since 1993, though capital punishment remains in the penal code for certain offenses.
The fires erupted amidst an intense heatwave affecting North Africa, with Algeria and Tunisia particularly impacted. The blazes swept through large areas of northern Algeria last week, resulting in significant destruction, dozens of injuries, and the displacement of thousands of people. Algerian Civil Protection forces were still battling some fires on Sunday afternoon.
President Tebboune also ordered compensation for affected families and repairs to damaged homes and essential services. While Algeria typically experiences forest fires during the summer months, climate change has been identified as a factor exacerbating the intensity and severity of recent wildfires.