Algeria forest fires: President Abdelmadjid Tebboune seeks death penalty for arsonists - BBC News

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune says he is not ruling out foul play after 100 wildfires were recorded.

Image source, Anadolu via Getty ImagesImage caption, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said he was not ruling out foul play after 100 wildfires were recorded

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has said he wants to reinstate the death penalty for arsonists, following a wave of forest fires that have killed at least 12 people.

The president ordered the justice ministry to introduce changes to the criminal law introducing capital punishment for arsonists. Capital punishment remains in the country's penal code for some offences, but no execution has been carried out since 1993.

More than 100 wildfires have been recorded in recent days in the north-east of the country, most of which have been extinguished.

On Saturday, Tebboune said he did not rule out foul play.