Paris Court Examines Algeria’s Extradition Request for Kabylie Separatist Leader
Introduction
On Wednesday, February 19, the Paris Court of Appeals began reviewing Algeria’s extradition request for Aksel Bellabbaci, a prominent figure within the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylie (MAK), an organization labeled as a terrorist group by the Algerian government. The court will issue its decision on April 2.
Charges and Allegations
Algeria has accused Bellabbaci of 14 offenses, some of which carry the death penalty. While capital punishment is legal in Algeria, it has not been enforced since a 1993 moratorium.
Bellabbaci is accused of orchestrating wildfires that killed at least 90 people and devastated thousands of hectares in Kabylie in August 2021. He is also suspected of inciting the lynching of Djamel Bensmaïl, a 38-year-old artist who was trying to help extinguish the fires but was falsely identified as an arsonist.
Extradition Process
In October 2022, the court requested additional information from Algeria. In response, Alger submitted a new extradition request, this time based on a life imprisonment sentence handed down by the Algiers court on November 24, 2022 for the same charges.
Bellabbaci’s Background
A supporter of the MAK since 2007, Bellabbaci is the right-hand man of Ferhat Mehenni, the organization’s president. The MAK advocates for the independence of the Kabylie region in northern Algeria. In February 2022, Algeria designated 16 MAK members, including Bellabbaci, as terrorists. He has been convicted in absentia in Algeria on multiple occasions.
MAK’s Status and Accusations
Algeria accuses the MAK of harboring separatist ambitions. In 2021, it declared the organization a terrorist group. The MAK denies these allegations, claiming to pursue peaceful political goals.
Bellabbaci’s Residence in France
Bellabbaci has resided in France since 2012 and has not returned to Algeria since August 2019. He has been involved in political activism from abroad.
Court Decision Pending
The Paris Court of Appeals is deliberating on the extradition request. Its decision will have significant implications for Bellabbaci’s fate and the ongoing tensions between France and Algeria over the MAK issue.
Additional Information
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About the MAK (Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylie): The MAK is a political organization advocating for the autonomy of the Kabylie region in northern Algeria, where the Berber Kabyle people reside. It was founded in 2001 and has been vocal in its criticism of the Algerian government’s policies towards the Kabylie region.
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Algeria’s Counter-Terrorism Efforts: Algeria has been at the forefront of counter-terrorism efforts in North Africa, particularly in the wake of the 2001 Berber Spring uprising and the subsequent rise of Islamist extremist groups. However, its counter-terrorism measures have also drawn criticism from human rights organizations for alleged human rights violations.
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France-Algeria Relations over the MAK: The extradition request has strained relations between France and Algeria, with France seeking to balance its obligations under international law with its need to maintain harmony with its North African neighbor. The issue has also raised concerns about the potential for persecution of political activists in Algeria.
