Algeria prepares law to withdraw nationality of people threatening state

Those who commit acts that damage the state or harm unity could lose their Algerian citizenship

Algerian anti-government protesters take part in a demonstration in the capital Algiers, on February 26, 2021. Thousands of anti-government protesters took to the streets across Algeria on Friday, as Show more

Algeria plans for the first time to deprive of nationality those of its citizens who commit acts abroad that are liable to "seriously damage the interests of the state or harm the national unity", the prime minister's office said on Wednesday.

The measure will apply to people who join, finance or glorify a terrorist organisation, it said in a statement after a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad to discuss amendments to the nationality law and other issues.

The new provision applies also to "everyone who deals with an enemy country", the statement said.

It said the provisions of the law are compatible with international conventions and guarantee the right to appeal, but provided no further details on reasons behind the amendment.

The measure is expected to be discussed again later at a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.