In Algeria, the main suspect in the death of Djamel Bensmail, a young man of 35, lynched in Larbaâ Nath Irathen was arrested, according to the authorities, as he fled to Morocco. The victim was suspected of being an arsonist. The neighboring country is affected by deadly fires which ravage the north of the country.
The facts unfolded last Wednesday. While he had left his home to help put out the forest fires ravaging northern Algeria, Djamel Bensmail is suspected of having tried to light a fire near Larbaâ Nath Irathen. The police take him away. As soon as the police vehicle reached the courtyard of the police station, an angry crowd attacked Djamel. The latter was severely beaten and then lynched to death.
The death of the young man shocked many Algerians. An investigation has been opened into the circumstances of this “heinous” crime, in order to identify the perpetrators of the lynching. On Sunday, Mohamed Chakour, director-general of the judicial police at the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) communicated the first results of the investigation during a press conference. In all, 36 suspects were arrested. Mohamed Chakour said the main suspect in Djamel’s death was arrested while attempting to flee to Morocco. The latter stabbed the victim. “The videos posted by citizens on social networks have helped investigators a lot,” said the official.
