France: Hichem Aboud Accuses Algerian Regime of Involvement in Attempted Assassination

15:30

The investigation into the attempted assassination of Algerian opposition figure Hichem Aboud has entered a new phase, bringing renewed attention to allegations of politically motivated violence and its potential international implications.

Aboud was questioned on Friday by an investigating magistrate specializing in terrorism cases in Paris. The hearing forms part of the judicial proceedings into an attack targeting him in February 2025 in Roubaix, northern France. Following the questioning, the opposition figure once again accused Algeria's ruling establishment of orchestrating the operation.

Speaking to Agence France-Presse, Aboud challenged anyone to identify an alternative explanation for the attack. He maintained that he had no enemies other than the Algerian regime and individuals associated with it. He also argued that the suspects themselves had reportedly acknowledged having no personal knowledge of him or understanding of the reasons behind the operation.

An Alleged Contract to Eliminate the Opposition Figure

The investigation has uncovered elements suggesting that the attack may have been part of a planned assassination operation. According to judicial sources, three individuals are facing proceedings over attempted murder committed by an organized group in connection with a terrorist enterprise. A fourth person is suspected of complicity in the attempted murder and participation in a terrorist criminal association.

One of the most significant findings concerns an alleged contract placed on Aboud's life. Investigators reportedly uncovered evidence of a financial arrangement intended to secure his elimination, with a suspected gunman allegedly promised €10,000 to carry out the shooting.

The breakthrough emerged from an investigation that initially focused on a museum robbery committed near Lyon in November 2024. Authorities subsequently examined communications exchanged through the encrypted messaging platform Signal, which reportedly helped them identify a group of suspected operatives and establish connections between its members.

According to information reported by French media, the suspected team travelled to Roubaix in February 2025 with instructions to kill Aboud and a specific address. The operation ultimately failed because he was not at home when the attackers arrived.

A Case With International Legal Dimensions

The Paris hearing also represents an important development in a legal process that extends beyond France. Aboud had previously initiated proceedings in Belgium, filing a complaint with civil-party status in Liège in 2021 over an alleged attempted assassination.

The opposition figure welcomed the latest judicial development, stating that the investigating magistrate had confirmed responsibility for handling the case. His appearance before a specialized counterterrorism magistrate reflects the seriousness of the allegations and the legal framework under which the investigation is proceeding.

Nevertheless, the accusations directed at the Algerian authorities remain Aboud's claims. Establishing responsibility will ultimately depend on the evidence gathered by investigators and the conclusions reached by the judicial authorities.

France-Algeria Relations Under Renewed Pressure

The case is unfolding against a backdrop of strained relations between Paris and Algiers, with several sensitive judicial and diplomatic disputes complicating bilateral ties.

Among the issues attracting attention is the case of French sports journalist Christophe Gleizes, who has been imprisoned in Algeria since June 2025 following a conviction for glorifying terrorism.

Another prominent matter involves Algerian opposition activist Amir Boukhors, widely known online as Amir DZ. He was abducted in the Paris region on April 29, 2024, and released two days later. Like Aboud, he has been targeted by an Algerian arrest warrant issued in March 2022, with authorities accusing him of links to a terrorist organization.

These cases illustrate the growing complexity of relations between the two countries, where security allegations, political opposition and judicial proceedings increasingly intersect.

Hichem Aboud's Longstanding Opposition to Algiers

Aboud has lived in France since the 1990s and holds a residence permit. He briefly returned to Algeria in 2011 during a period of relative political calm, seeking to establish two newspapers. Both publications were suspended in 2013.

His latest appearance before French judicial authorities places his personal security concerns at the centre of an investigation with potentially broader diplomatic consequences.

As investigators continue examining the alleged assassination plot, the case raises important questions about the protection of political opponents abroad and the ability of European judicial institutions to investigate suspected transnational operations.

For now, the central challenge remains establishing who commissioned the alleged attack, who financed it and whether the evidence can identify those ultimately responsible.