Algeria Approves Death Penalty for Deliberately Starting Forest Fires

Algeria has approved the death penalty for those who deliberately start forest fires, introducing a severe punishment following deadly summer blazes.

Estimates suggest that more than 200 people died in fires that broke out in the country’s northeast during the summer.

The punishment targets the intentional setting of forest fires. The information provided does not establish how many of the summer blazes were deliberately started.

Details of when the measure takes effect and the conditions under which courts may impose the death penalty were not provided.