President Calls for Death Penalty for Forest Arsonists

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria now intends to reintroduce the death penalty for perpetrators of forest arson. Forest fires have left Algeria in mourning for three days, resulting in 12 deaths and dozens of injuries.

“This is a great tragedy,” said Tebboune, referring to the loss of life in the fires, as reported on Tuesday (1/9/2026).

“Amendments to the Penal Code will be carried out,” he asserted, according to Euronews.

As of Monday, authorities reported that 46 fire hotspots remained active out of 193 fires recorded during the previous 24 hours. Unverified videos shared online depict massive flames trapping residents inside their homes.

Algeria has maintained a moratorium on the death penalty since 1993. However, the revision is expected to be implemented no later than 15 September.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Said Sayoud confirmed five fatalities in Jijel province, four in Bejaia, and three in Tizi Ouzou following the outbreak of the fires. He stated that 54 people are currently hospitalised with burns, including six individuals in critical condition.

The Algerian military police, the Gendarmerie, announced that three major highways connecting the eastern regions have been closed due to the ongoing forest fires. While summer wildfires are common in northern Algeria, more frequent droughts and extreme heatwaves have increased the intensity of the blazes.

In July 2023, wildfires ravaged thousands of hectares of forest and agricultural land near Bejaia, destroying hundreds of homes and causing more than 30 deaths. Authorities recorded nearly 2,000 fires across the country in July this year alone.