Algeria’s decision to expel twelve French officials in retaliation for a judicial proceeding in France is "regrettable" and "will not be without consequences," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot warned on Tuesday on France 2.
"If Algeria chooses escalation, we will respond with the utmost firmness," he added, stressing that France would have "no choice but to take similar measures."
Algerian authorities have declared twelve French Interior Ministry officials persona non grata, giving them 48 hours to leave the country in response to the arrest and subsequent detention in France of an Algerian consular agent.
On Monday evening, Algeria defended its "sovereign" decision and placed full responsibility for this renewed tension on French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau.
"Bruno Retailleau has nothing to do with this judicial case," Jean-Noël Barrot clarified on Tuesday, emphasizing the independence of the French judiciary.
"The judiciary is independent. This is a legal procedure that has been underway for months and has nothing to do with the (diplomatic) dialogue we resumed in March with the Algerian authorities," he continued.
Three men, including one employed at an Algerian consulate in France, were indicted last Friday in Paris for arrest, kidnapping, unlawful detention or confinement followed by release before the seventh day, in connection with a terrorist organization, according to the French National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office (Pnat).
In the case involving Algerian regime opponent Amir Boukhors, an influencer known as Amir DZ, the men are also being prosecuted for criminal terrorist conspiracy. They have been placed in pre-trial detention.
The French foreign minister expressed his desire to maintain communication with Algiers and called on the authorities to reverse their decision, which is set to take effect in the coming hours on Tuesday. "It is my responsibility (...) to keep the lines of communication open," he said. "But if the Algerian authorities persist, if they choose escalation, then we will respond with the greatest firmness," he warned.
"We have always said that we want to return to normal relations, that we want to move beyond tensions because they are not in the interest of France or the French people. But it is now clearly up to Algeria to take the appropriate steps," he concluded.
