Algerian lawmakers have approved legislation allowing the death penalty for forest arson after deadly wildfires affected parts of the country this summer.
Under the new law, people convicted of deliberately setting fire to forests, woods or fields could face capital punishment.
Lawmakers approved the measure on Thursday. The legislation must still be reviewed by the Senate before it can be formally ratified by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
Africanews, citing AFP, reported that the legislation follows recent wildfires in northeastern Algeria that officially killed 12 people.
Death penalty for forest arson approved
Algeria has maintained a moratorium on executions since 1993.
However, death sentences have continued to be issued in some cases, including terrorism-related offences. No executions have been carried out during the moratorium.
In August, Tebboune instructed the justice minister to amend the penal code and expand the crimes eligible for capital punishment.
The new legislation would allow the death penalty for forest arson when a person is convicted of deliberately setting fire to forests, woods or planted or unplanted fields.
Justice Minister Lotfi Boudjemaa defended the measure in parliament.
He said tougher penalties were an appropriate legal response to serious crimes.
Law also covers some child kidnappings
Lawmakers also voted to extend capital punishment to certain cases involving the kidnapping of children.
The penalty could apply when a child is kidnapped and subjected to torture, sexual assault or mutilation.
The legislation therefore covers offences beyond deliberate forest fires.
Tebboune has previously said people sentenced to death could be executed after exhausting their appeals.
Amnesty International opposes measure
Amnesty International has criticised the proposed expansion of capital punishment.
Last month, the rights group urged Algeria not to adopt the legislation and called on authorities not to resume executions.
It argued that Algeria should instead strengthen prevention and emergency responses to recurring wildfires.
The justice minister said Algeria’s judicial system provides safeguards for defendants facing capital punishment. These include appeals and the possibility of seeking a presidential pardon.
Government alleges organised arson
Boudjemaa also said authorities believed some deliberate fires had links to organised crime and foreign actors.
He told parliament that investigations had uncovered links to what he described as “foreign parties.”
These are claims by Algerian authorities. The supplied reporting does not provide independent evidence establishing foreign involvement in the fires.
Tebboune has also alleged that there was a criminal element behind the latest summer wildfires.
Forest fires regularly affect northern Algeria during the summer. The report also notes that drought and intense heat have increased their impact.
The legislation will now go to the Senate before possible ratification by the president.