Algeria’s Parliament Approves Death Penalty for Forest Arsonists

Algeria’s lower house of Parliament has approved amendments to the penal code that make the death penalty available for people convicted of deliberately setting forest, woodland, or agricultural fires. The measure follows devastating wildfires in northeastern Algeria that officials said killed 12 people, although witnesses reported a higher toll. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune had ordered the changes in August as authorities investigated the fires and raised allegations of criminal and possible foreign involvement. The law also extends capital punishment to child abductions involving torture, sexual assault, or mutilation. Algeria has maintained a moratorium on executions since 1993, meaning the measure represents a significant expansion of the circumstances in which courts can impose a death sentence. The legislation still requires Senate review and ratification by Tebboune.