Death penalty bill for forest arsonists clears Algeria lower house

The Algerian lower house has passed a law allowing the death penalty for those convicted of arson, following deadly wildfires that swept through the country's forests. Members of the National People’s Assembly voted to amend the penal code to punish anyone attempting to undermine public security, order, national unity, or economic and environmental stability. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune had called for this amendment in September after at least 12 people died in wildfires in northeastern Algeria. Human rights organizations criticized the law, calling it a retrograde response and urging authorities to focus on prevention and emergency response.