At least seven people, including four Moroccans accused of belonging to a spy network, were arrested on Sunday in Algeria, a few days before the country’s presidential election.
Officials in Tlemcen, a northwestern city near the Moroccan border, stated that those arrested were held in provisional detention “following the recent dismantling of an espionage and intelligence network aimed at undermining the security of the state”.
An investigation by the judiciary has been initiated on allegations of spying for a foreign country, as reported by the prosecutors. Additionally, three Moroccan citizens are also under suspicion of illegally entering Algeria.
“This network recruited Moroccan and Algerian nationals with the aim of undermining Algerian security and administrative institutions,” the public prosecutor’s office added.
Algeria’s presidential election will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024.
Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the current officeholder, is expected to defeat moderate Islamist Abdelaali Hassani and socialist contender Youssef Aouchiche.
Morocco and Algeria are experiencing high tensions due to disputes over Western Sahara, Rabat’s relations with Israel, and accusations of support for separatist movements.
In August 2021, Algeria broke off diplomatic relations with Morocco, citing “hostile acts,” while Morocco deemed this decision “completely unjustified.”