Algeria criminalises recruitment for terrorist organisations

The Algerian Parliament yesterday approved a bill criminalising joining, recruiting or funding the activities of terrorist organisations, the Anadolu Agency reported.

Algerian National Popular Council, the first parliament chamber, approved on Wednesday a bill criminalising anyone join, recruit or fund activities of international terrorist organisations, Anadolu reported.

The bill, which was modified by the National Popular Council, stipulates “criminalising the movement of Algerians or foreigners living legally or illegally in Algeria to any other country to carry out terrorist acts, incite or train terrorists.”

In addition, the bill included “criminalising funding or organising travel to any country in order to carry out terrorist acts, incite or train terrorists, using information, technology or any other means.”

Algerian Justice Minister Tayeb Louh said: “The modifications came to keep up with the UN Security Council’s resolution number 2178 which was issued in September and called on the international communities to take measures to deter foreign terrorists.”

He continued: “The UNSC also called for restricting the movement of terrorists in and out of countries, as well as proposing laws that allow action to be taken against them.”

The new law includes prison terms of between five and 15 years and fines of between 100,000 Algerian dinars ($1,000) and 500,000 dinars ($5,000) for those charged with travelling, preparing, training or inciting terrorist acts.