French authorities arrested three Algerian men on Sunday suspected of inciting violence in TikTok videos, with at least two suspects facing terror-related charges, “France24” reported.
The arrest comes amid growing tensions between Paris and Algiers, following France’s backing of Morocco over its sovereignty over the Sahara.
Among the arrested was a video blogger known as “Imad Tintin,” who was arrested on Friday in Grenoble for publishing videos urging followers to “burn alive, kill, and rape on French territory.”
The post was removed after receiving over 800,000 views. France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau responded to the hateful posts, describing them as “vile.”
A 25-year-old Algerian influencer, Youcef A., known as “Zazou Youssef,” was remanded in custody in Brest, France, for “publicly advocating an act of terrorism” in TikTok posts.
Scheduled to stand trial on February 24, Youssef faces up to seven years in prison and a EUR 100,000 fine if convicted. In a video posted on December 31, he called for attacks in France and violence in Algeria.
TikTok banned his account for violating its hate speech policies. Youssef was living in France on a temporary residency permit.
A third man was arrested in Montpellier for making violent remarks against an Algerian activist critical of Algeria’s government. In a video, the influencer allegedly said, “Kill him, let him suffer.” Authorities are now considering revoking his residency permit and issuing an expulsion order.