Algeria president seeks death penalty for arsonists after deadly forest fires

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

Algeria’s President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has ordered the introduction of the death penalty for deliberately setting forest fires after a recent wave of blazes killed 12 people. The move comes as authorities investigate fires that erupted across several eastern provinces.

Abdelmadjid Tebboune's call comes after wildfires killed at least 12 people and injured 54 in northeastern Algeria.