Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune expressed the intention to reinstate the death penalty for arson crimes. The proposal comes after wildfires that devastated the country and resulted in the death of 12 people, in addition to dozens of injured.
The Algerian government decreed three days of national mourning in recognition of the victims of the fires. The flames caused significant destruction in several regions of Algerian territory.
The reintroduction of the death penalty for arsonists represents an extreme measure adopted by Tebboune's executive in response to the severity of the situation. Algeria had suspended the application of the death penalty in practice, although the law still provides for it in its penal code.
The authorities argue that the measure aims to deter acts of arson that put human lives and ecosystems at risk. The decision still needs to go through the country's legislative procedures to take effect.
