Death of Algerian Immigrant in Police Custody Sparks Crisis between Algiers, Brussels

Arab World

July 26th, 7:35am

Algiers - Boualem Goumrassa

A police officer is seen near a cordoned area in Brussels, Belgium (Reuters file photo)

Algerian authorities dismissed Belgian police’s justification of the death of Algerian national, Kadri Abderrahmane “Akram” Ridha, who died in police custody outside a cafe in Antwerp, according to Algerian sources. The sources said the authorities are calling on Brussels to investigate the circumstances that led to Ridha’s death. The police report of Anvers city, where Akram was staying with his mother and sister, said that he was “under the influence of drugs and about to attack people” when he was arrested near a train station. Algerian high authorities want to ensure that those responsible for his death will be persecuted if the investigation showed it was due to the use of violence and excessive force, sources told Asharq Al-Awsat. The footage shared on social media drew parallels with the case of George Floyd, who died in May after a police officer knelt on his neck during his arrest in the United States. Algerian Ambassador in Brussels, Amar Belani, told local media on Friday that Belgian authorities were formally notified of Algiers’ request to obtain detailed information about the real circumstances of Akram’s arrest and death. The ambassador’s statement can be interpreted that authorities are skeptical of the police report, especially the part that said Akram was under the influence of drugs. He said the video footage, along with the autopsy results, will “hopefully” clarify matters. On Thursday, the Foreign Ministry stressed in a statement that Algeria was determined to shed light on Akram’s death. Meanwhile, his mother strongly denied a hospital report that said her son died from epilepsy, saying he was healthy and she met him last on Saturday, the day before the incident. She accused Belgian police of using excessive force with her son, confirming that she contacted a Belgian lawyer and the Algerian embassy is waiting for the autopsy results.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2412061/death-algerian-immigrant-police-custody-sparks-crisis-between-algiers-brussels