French Prosecutor: Ongoing Probes into State-Sponsored Terrorism Involve Algeria

France’s National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor said several investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances of state-sponsored terrorism reportedly involving Algeria and Russia.

Olivier Christen, the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor, made his remarks in an interview with Franceinfo on Friday.

In the interview, he said eight state-sponsored terrorism cases are ongoing.

Five of these cases are “mainly related to Russia and Algeria,” he noted, stating that the probes are known to be related to the general topic.

“These foreign states are not necessarily planning a direct attack against the French population, but rather actions targeting their opponents on French soil,” the prosecutor detailed. 

He also pointed out Iran’s alleged involvement in actions that “more directly concern the French population.”

“They target a segment of the French community that symbolizes, in their eyes, their enemies- namely the Jewish community,” he said.

This is not an isolated report about Algeria’s regime links to terrorism financing.

In July last year, the European Parliament validated Algeria’s inclusion on the list of high-risk countries regarding terrorism financing and money laundering.

Read also: Terrorism Financing: EU Parliament Confirms Algeria’s Inclusion on List of High-Risk Countries

The references to Algeria’s links to financing terrorism come as many international observers, MPs, and politicians are calling on the international community to designate Polisario, a separatist group that Algeria’s regime finances, hosts, and arms, as a terrorist group.

Republican Congressman Joe Wilson officially submitted a bipartisan bill to the US Congress in June last year to designate the Polisario Front as a foreign terrorist group.

The bill directly points to the separatist group’s maneuvers and its collusion with the Iranian proxy Hezbollah.

Algeria’s regime finances, arms, and hosts Polisario in Tindouf, a region causing frustration among international lawmakers, who often speak of the separatist group’s malicious activities and their links to terrorism and drug trafficking. 

Despite the growing appeal, Algeria has maintained its  support for the Polisario Front’s independence claim and its continued challenge to Morocco’s territorial integrity.

The new revelations by the French prosecutor could raise further tensions between Algiers and Paris amid reports suggesting both countries are seeking to amend ties after years of rift.

The initial tensions were due to France’s support for Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces, as well as Algerian rejection of accepting Algerians subject to deportation orders.

Algeria’s usage of terrorism law and espionage accusations against critics and journalists is also a source of concern for the French government.

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