A French appeals court refused to release an Algerian consular official detained over suspected involvement in the 2024 kidnapping of Algerian opposition figure and influencer Amir Boukhors in France, AFP reported Thursday, citing judicial sources.
The Paris appeals court’s investigative chamber upheld a judge’s decision to keep the official in custody, following arguments from prosecutors who cited risks of witness tampering, collusion, public disorder and the need to ensure he remains in France.
The decision went against the position of France’s national anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office, which had recommended his release under judicial supervision after a defence request filed on June 10.
Boukhors’ lawyer, Eric Plouvier, told AFP he feared the official could be used as a bargaining chip in efforts to secure the release of French journalist Christophe Gleizes, who is jailed in Algeria.
He said any such arrangement would amount to a “swap,” adding that the appeals court and prosecutors had separated the kidnapping case from the diplomatic dispute over Gleizes.
Lawyers for the Algerian consular official declined AFP’s request for comment.
The Boukhors case and Gleizes’ imprisonment have deepened tensions between France and Algeria, though relations have shown signs of easing in recent months.
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