🇩🇿AlgeriaNorth Africa
Oran police dismantle international human trafficking network, 23 arrested including 18 Moroccans
via Algérie3602 min read
The research and intervention brigade of the Oran wilaya security dismantled an international criminal network specializing in organizing clandestine sea crossings. The operation led to the arrest of 23 individuals, including 18 Moroccan nationals, as confirmed by a statement from the General Directorate of National Security. Investigators precisely reconstructed the network's modus operandi, including gathering circuits, travel itineraries, and accommodation for candidates. Five individuals, identified as the masterminds, were initially apprehended. Following these arrests, authorities located and searched an apartment used as a clandestine transit point, where the 18 Moroccan nationals were found, awaiting embarkation to European coasts. This type of transit apartment is characteristic of organized smuggling networks. Oran, due to its geographical position on Algeria's western Mediterranean coast, is frequently a hub for such activities. A similar network, also involving a majority of Moroccan nationals using Algerian territory as a transit corridor to Europe, was tried in February 2026. Material seized during the operation included 1,600 euros in foreign currency, 240 Moroccan dirhams, 22,500 Algerian dinars in cash, and four vehicles used by the network. All 23 suspects were brought before the public prosecutor at the Fellaoucene court.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Algérie360.
The European Parliament has launched an official investigation into the "Europe of Sovereign Nations" ENS political party, with which Eric Zemmour's Reconquête movement is affiliated. This procedure follows statements deemed incompatible with the fundamental values of the European Union. The parliamentary initiative stems from a report by the Authority for European Political Parties, which lists several publications by ENS members. These include a post by a Slovak elected official comparing a Sudanese migrant to a "psychopath, repulsive and filthy," and two videos by Eric Zemmour. One of Zemmour's videos discusses the Louvre Museum robbery, asserting that the theft is a "daily jihad." Following the spectacular theft of eight Crown jewels from the Louvre, valued at 88 million euros, Eric Zemmour reacted to the arrest of two suspects from Seine-Saint-Denis. The Reconquête party leader used this incident to make a political point, stating on social media that the affair symbolized how "immigration steals French civilization." Citing the profiles of the two suspects, who were attempting to flee to Algeria and Mali, Zemmour described the theft as an example of "daily jihad." He publicly equated immigration with a delinquent "occupation army," linking this robbery to other criminal cases to denounce a global "plunder" targeting France and its treasures. In his statements, the politician specifically targeted the Algerian community in France, exclaiming, "Algeria now enters the scen
Following Morocco's 3-0 victory over Canada on Saturday, a Moroccan flag was reportedly torn, ripped, and burned in the Quatre-Chemins district of Aubervilliers. Algerian citizens are allegedly involved in the incident, which occurred on the evening of Morocco's qualification for the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals. Videos shared on social media purportedly show the event, where Moroccan supporters, including women with a stroller, were reportedly jostled, and their flag was destroyed by Algerian supporters. The Moroccan Embassy in France issued a statement on Monday, condemning the "exactions committed on July 4th" in Aubervilliers. The embassy stated it has "documented and authenticated evidence" showing the Moroccan flag being publicly desecrated by individuals chanting slogans indicating their Algerian origin. The embassy announced it has filed a complaint after a series of videos of the alleged incident were published. The embassy also noted that some videos were reportedly uploaded by the alleged perpetrators themselves and that the collected evidence, including "hateful and xenophobic remarks" by Algerian supporters, has been submitted to law enforcement. These tensions follow a widely publicized assault on a young Algerian supporter, Wassim, by Moroccan supporters in Boston during the World Cup.
Twelve migrants have been reported missing since June 29 after their boat departed from Oran, Algeria, destined for Spain. The NGO Alarm Phone issued an appeal for witnesses on July 5 via X, stating that they have had no news of the group since their departure. Alarm Phone, which documents migration flows to Europe, often relays emergency coordinates to maritime authorities. The organization was alerted by a concerned relative and has informed Spanish rescue services. Spain's maritime rescue service has stated they have not intercepted the boat or found the group of 12 migrants. While the primary route from Algeria targets the Spanish coast, some boats are pushed towards Sardinia, Italy. Separately, Alarm Phone also reported a potential disappearance on July 4 of migrants who left Tipaza. Arrivals to Spain have seen an increase, with the Balearic Islands becoming a key destination, showing a 6% rise in the first two months of the year compared to last year. According to the UNHCR, as of June 15, Spain recorded 10,701 migrant arrivals, with Algerians forming the largest group, followed by Moroccans, Malians, Senegalese, Gambians, and Guineans. Sudanese and Somalis also represent significant percentages of arrivals.