Paris, France – French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced the arrest of Algerian influencer Mehdi B. (29 years old).
This was in response to his posting of a video containing severe insults
to French police officers and direct incitement to violence against them.
Details of the incident: Insults on “TikTok”
According to initial investigations, the accused posted a video via the “TikTok” application.
Police officers are documented while performing their duties in a public place.
During the video, Mehdi B. directed insults in Arabic at the security forces and the French state.
He was also seen inciting a young man at the site to physically assault one of the officers.
Minister Nunez commented in a post on the “X” platform (formerly Twitter),
confirming: “He was arrested last night.”
Criminal record and deportation order “pending”
The Algerian Mehdi B. is a well-known figure to the French security authorities.
He was sentenced last January to 8 months in prison on charges of “justifying terrorism”.
The French authorities issued a decision to deport him from the country as soon as his sentence ends.
Because the Algerian authorities did not issue entry permits (consular permits)
to the suspects, his deportation was not possible in practice.
This led to him being placed under house arrest since last November
after he left the administrative detention center.
Diplomatic tensions and new accusations
This arrest comes amid a wave of tension in diplomatic relations between Paris and Algiers.
Which directly affected the deportation of Algerian influencers
and activists whom France considers a threat to its public security.
Expected charges
Algerian Mehdi B. is expected to face new charges before the French judiciary,
including insulting public officials while performing their duties.
Incitement to violence and assault against security personnel,
and violation of the terms of his house arrest.
