French foreign minister Jean-Nol Barrot on Monday threatened to retaliate if Algeria pursued an order to expel 12 members of staff at the French embassy over the next two days.
"I am asking Algerian authorities to abandon these expulsion measures," Barrot said. "If the decision to send back our officials is maintained, we will have no other choice but to respond immediately."
The 12 include some members of the French interior ministry, a diplomatic source told the French news agency AFP.
On Sunday, authorities in Algeria summoned the French ambassador to protest the arrest last Friday of an Algerian consular official on suspicion of involvement in the April 2024 abduction of an Algerian influencer, Amir Boukhors, in a Paris suburb.
The official was among three men charged with abduction, arbitrary detention and illegal confinement, in connection with a terrorist enterprise, as well as other crimes, according toFrance's Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office (PNAT). They were later detained in custody.
Boukhors known as "Amir DZ" has been openly critical of the Algerian government andAlgeriaviews him as a "saboteur linked to terrorist groups".
He has been in France since 2016 and was granted political asylum in 2023.
Algiers is demanding Boukhor's return to face trial, having issued nine international arrest warrants against him, accusing him of fraud and terror offences.
France has refused to extradite him.
Change
The indictment comes at a sensitive time. Tensions between France and its former colony have eased following a phone call betweenPresident Emmanuel Macronand AlgerianPresident Abdelmadjid Tebbouneon 31 March.
Just over a week ago, Barrot expressedhope for a "new phase" in relations with Algeria.
French FM in Algeria to reset bilateral relations
Ties between France and Algeria came under strain last July when Macron recognised a plan for the autonomy of the disputedWestern Sahararegion under Moroccan sovereignty.
Algeria, which has long backed the pro-independence Polisario Front,recalled its ambassadorfrom Paris in protest.
Relations have worsened further over the fate of French-Algerianwriter Boualem Sansalwho has been sentenced to five years in jail for allegedlyundermining Algeria's territorialunity. Macron has called for his release.
Originally published on RFI
