Algerian President Calls for Death Penalty for Arsonists After Wildfires Leave 12 Dead
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has announced that the death penalty will be reintroduced for individuals convicted of arson after a surge of forest fires swept across the north‑east of Algeria, claiming at least 12 deaths. The decree orders the justice ministry to amend the criminal code to allow capital punishment for arsonists, a penalty that has been dormant since 1993.
Over 100 wildfires were recorded in recent days during a severe heat‑wave, although most were extinguished. President Tebboune stressed that investigations would be carried out to determine whether any of the blazes were deliberate, expressing that no foul play could be ruled out. He set a deadline of 15 September for legal reforms to be enacted.
Under the current criminal law, arson can carry a sentence of up to 30 years or life imprisonment. The new amendment would add the possibility of a death sentence for those who intentionally start fires in forested areas. The president also ordered compensation for affected families and repair of damaged homes and services.
Experts note that climate change has intensified the frequency and severity of forest fires in the region, and the president's remarks come amid widespread calls for stronger environmental protection measures.
