Ankara: Algerian authorities have apprehended four individuals suspected of intentionally igniting forest fires in the eastern province of Constantine, placing them in pretrial detention as investigations proceed. In an unprecedented move, the Public Prosecutor's Office at the Sidi M'Hamed Court in Algiers has released the names and photographs of the suspects linked to the incidents.
According to Anadolu Agency, the arrests are part of three distinct cases involving criminal groups accused of setting fires in state-owned forest areas. Authorities detained Saber Ayoub Ben Fougal and Abderrahmane Fouaizia after securing video evidence purportedly showing them starting a fire in brushland near Constantine's Pine neighborhood. Similarly, Farouk Lemouissi has been accused of setting fire to shrubs and trees along Soummam Road in Constantine, with video footage allegedly capturing him in the act.
In a separate incident, Saif Eddine Ben Khalifa was reportedly caught setting fire to copper wire piles along the highway between Constantine and Annaba, resulting in a blaze that consumed approximately two hectares of forest. The prosecutor's office has formally charged the four individuals with acts of sabotage that endangered lives, public safety, and property, along with intentionally setting fire to state-owned forest land. Following initial questioning, the investigating judge ordered their pretrial detention.
The charges brought against the suspects include sabotage, punishable by death under Algerian law. Although Algeria has upheld a moratorium on executions since 1993, courts continue to issue death sentences in certain cases, which are effectively commuted to life imprisonment.
These arrests occur as Algeria grapples with one of its worst wildfire seasons in recent years. Late Tuesday, officials evacuated residents and relocated patients from a hospital in Seraidi, Annaba, as wildfires threatened populated regions. Civil Protection reported deploying all available resources, including aerial firefighting support, to combat the blazes.
The Interior Ministry confirmed six fatalities linked to forest fires affecting multiple provinces in recent days. As of Tuesday evening, Civil Protection stated that firefighters extinguished 104 out of 170 reported wildfires but were still addressing 66 active fires across 19 provinces. The fires coincide with record-breaking heat, with temperatures reaching 49C (120.2F) in coastal cities, driven by strong, hot southerly winds.
According to Civil Protection, Algeria recorded 3,719 wildfires between May 1 and July 20, a 150% increase compared to the same period in 2025. The General Directorate of Forests reported the destruction of over 1,666 hectares (4,117 acres) of vegetation within this timeframe, marking the highest level of vegetation loss since the catastrophic wildfires of 2021.