Algeria expands death penalty to arson and child abduction after wildfires

Algeria's national assembly has voted to extend capital punishment to forest and field arson and child abduction, following a deadly heatwave wildfire season.

• The national assembly voted on Thursday to approve penal code amendments extending the death penalty to deliberate arson and child abduction.
• The official wildfire death toll stands at 12, while independent journalist Nozha Khelalef's tally counts 200 dead.
• President Abdelmadjid Tebboune ordered the justice ministry in late August to amend the penal code after more than 100 fires in the north-east.
• Justice Minister Lotfi Boudjemaa told parliament the new penalty was the appropriate legal response, citing arson links to foreign parties.