Algeria Approves Death Penalty for Forest Arson

Algeria has approved the death penalty for people who deliberately set forest fires, introducing a capital punishment measure against arsonists.

The decision comes against the backdrop of deadly summer fires. Estimates indicate that more than 200 people lost their lives.

The reported deaths were linked to blazes in northeastern Algeria during the summer. The toll remains an estimate rather than a confirmed final count.

The new penalty targets the deliberate setting of forest fires. Details of the conditions under which it would apply were not provided.