French authorities have detained three Algerian nationals accused of inciting violence and promoting terrorism through TikTok videos, escalating political tensions between France and Algeria.
The arrests, announced over the weekend, have drawn widespread condemnation and raised concerns about the role of social media in fostering extremist rhetoric.
Blogger “Imad Tintin” Faces Terror Incitement Charges
On Friday, authorities arrested 31-year-old video blogger “Imad Tintin” near Grenoble. He had posted a TikTok video urging his followers to commit acts of violence, including murder, rape, and arson on French soil.
The video garnered 800,000 views before being removed, but its impact lingered. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau shared a screenshot of the video on his social media, denouncing it as “vile.”
Prosecutors confirmed that “Imad Tintin,” whose real name has not been disclosed, is under judicial supervision and is due to appear in court on Monday for a fast-track trial.
He faces charges of “direct incitement of an act of terrorism.” If convicted, he could face severe penalties, including imprisonment.
Having entered France in December 2021, “Imad Tintin” applied for a residence permit in 2023 following his marriage to a French citizen. However, his application was denied, and he is currently subject to an expulsion order.
TikTok Influencer “Zazou Youssef” Accused of Promoting Violence
In a separate case, 25-year-old Algerian influencer “Zazou Youssef” was arrested in Brest on charges of “publicly advocating an act of terrorism.”
Prosecutor Camille Miansoni revealed that he would stand trial in February 2024 and faces up to seven years in prison and a €100,000 fine if convicted.
“Zazou Youssef,” whose real name was not disclosed, used his TikTok account with hundreds of thousands of followers to post inflammatory content, including a December 31 video calling for attacks in France and violence in Algeria.
TikTok has since banned his account for repeated violations of its hate speech policies.
Third Suspect Arrested in Montpellier
A third Algerian national was detained in Montpellier on Sunday for making violent threats against an Algerian activist. The activist, known for opposing Algeria’s government, was targeted in a video where the influencer called for his murder.
Authorities are reportedly considering revoking the suspect’s residence permit and issuing an expulsion order.
Growing France-Algeria Tensions
These arrests come against the backdrop of heightened tensions between France and Algeria, exacerbated by French President Emmanuel Macron’s support for Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, a disputed territory.
Algeria, which backs the Polisario Front’s push for independence in Western Sahara, has viewed France’s stance as a provocation.
Adding to the strained relationship, prominent French-Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal has been imprisoned in Algeria on national security charges since November.
France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot expressed skepticism about Algeria’s commitment to improving post-colonial ties under a 2022 roadmap.
The involvement of influencers like “Imad Tintin” and “Zazou Youssef” in inciting violence has intensified scrutiny over social media’s role in geopolitical disputes.
Algerian dissident Chawki Benzehra, who fled to France after participating in pro-democracy protests, accused Algerian authorities of leveraging influencers to fuel discord.
As France grapples with these cases, the spotlight remains on how social media platforms can be used as tools for both dissent and incitement.
