A police dragnet in France has swept up three Algerians described by authorities as social media influencers who are accused of posting videos inciting violence.

French authorities have arrested three Algerian influencers living in France for making violent statements on social media. This comes as tensions are running high between France and Algeria.

The French interior minister has announced the arrest of a social media influencer from Algeria who is accused of calling for attacks in France.

“Zazou Youssef” and “Imad Tintin” have joined “the war waged in France by the Algerian regime”, Chawki Benzehra, an Algerian dissident who took refuge in France after taking part in pro-democracy demonstrations in 2019, told AFP. He accused the Algerian authorities of mobilising a “significant” number of influencers calling for “violence”.

In the wake of a statement by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune against the hashtag «Manich Radi», Algerian influencers residing in France, including two with irregular immigration status, issued threats against opponents of the regime and against France.