Alleged Espionage Scandal Shakes French-Algerian Relations

A French finance ministry employee is under formal investigation for allegedly spying for Algeria. The employee is accused of passing information about Algerian asylum seekers to an Algerian consulate contact. The case emerges amid strained French-Algerian relations, worsened by France's stance on Western Sahara.

A finance ministry employee in France faces a formal investigation over allegations of espionage for Algeria, as confirmed by the Paris prosecutor's office. This development adds tension to already fraught political relations between France and Algeria, its former colony.

The accused individual purportedly shared information about Algerian asylum seekers, including dissenters of the current Algerian regime, with a contact at the Algerian consulate in Creteil. Such an indictment in France implies substantial evidence of likely criminal involvement but does not equate to guilt.

The situation arises amidst a diplomatic fallout stemming from France's recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara, a stance that has infuriated the Algerian government. As a result, France has considered revising agreements that facilitate Algerian migration to France, should Algeria not comply with deportation demands.

(With inputs from agencies.)