Algerian activist arrested in Paris for plotting assassinations

Algerian activist Said Bensedira, known for his online activism against Algerian government figures, was arrested in Paris on Saturday by French police, according to Maghreb Intelligence. 

Bensedira, who resides in London like many opponents of the Algerian regime, is suspected of having been in contact with Algerian agents infiltrated in France to carry out assassinations of opponents from all sides.

According to the same source, the crimes planned by the infiltrated Algerian agents, with the help of Said Bensedira, were then to be blamed on Morocco. 

Maghreb Intelligence reported that the arrest of Said Bensedira was based on precise information provided by the Moroccan intelligence services.

The Algerian regime  is increasingly incensed by the recent rapprochements between France and Morocco, which, as this latest case of Said Bensedira shows, have gone very far in their security cooperation. 

This was further reinforced by the recent visit to Morocco by Gérald Darminin, French Minister of the Interior, accompanied by senior security officials.

The fact that Bensedira was arrested in France is also noteworthy. France has traditionally been a close ally of Algeria, but in recent years, there have been signs of a rapprochement between France and Morocco. This has angered Algeria, which sees Morocco as a rival for regional influence.

France’s recent signals of support for Morocco’s claim over Western Sahara are expected to lead to a further decline in already strained relations between France and Algeria. 

This shift in French policy comes after Spain’s similar move in April 2022, which Algeria fiercely opposed, attempting to pressure Spain into reversing its stance.

France’s potential recognition of Moroccan control could be a tipping point, potentially prompting a more aggressive Algerian response to maintain its influence and support for the separatist Polisario Front.