French Court Blocks Algeria's Extradition Request for Ex-Minister Bouchouareb

The court cited health risks and human rights concerns, ending Algeria's 18-month effort to extradite the former official for financial crimes.

The French judiciary has definitively rejected six extradition requests from Algeria for Abdesselam Bouchouareb, a former minister under Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
The court based its decision on Bouchouareb's severe health condition, stating that extradition could lead to a 'rapid and irreversible decline' in his health.
The ruling cited violations of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Article 5 of the 2019 Franco-Algerian extradition treaty.
Algeria sought Bouchouareb's extradition to enforce five 20-year prison sentences and prosecute him for additional financial crimes.
Bouchouareb's defense argued that the extradition requests were politically motivated, tied to post-Bouteflika 'purges' targeting former officials.