By Ebuka Onyekwelu, Ph.D
The Government of Algeria is now considering introducing death penalty as punishment for anyone who deliberately sets fires that cause wildfires in the North African country. This was contained in a directive issued on Sunday by the country’s President, Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
For days, Algeria has been battling wildfires that have led to the death of at least 12 people. On Sunday, the Government of Algeria had a crucial meeting where the President gave the directive, instructing that the country’s penal code be amended by September 15, to make room for capital punishment for anyone who ignites a wildfire in the country. Previously, starting a wildfire in Algeria, upon conviction, could attract up to 30 years’ imprisonment. Although various other offences attract the death penalty in Algeria, for more than three decades, the government placed an embargo on state executions. Nevertheless, with the directive by the President, the embargo is about to be lifted.
President Tebboune also directed regional governors to assist security experts with all necessary information to unravel the circumstances regarding fire outbreaks in their regions. Meanwhile, the President promised to fully compensate victims of the outbreak after ordering authorities to ensure their basic supplies are restored.
With the development, the death penalty appears not to have been erased as an option in dealing with certain crimes.
