Algeria’s National Assembly has passed legislation making the deliberate burning of forests, wooded areas or farmland punishable by death, following a wave of fatal fires across the country.
The measure, approved Thursday, also allows capital punishment for child abduction when accompanied by torture, sexual violence or mutilation.
It must still be reviewed by the Council of the Nation, the upper chamber, before President Abdelmadjid Tebboune can ratify it.
Algeria’s penal code already provides for the death penalty in some cases, but the country has not carried out an execution since 1993.
Tebboune directed the Justice Ministry to prepare the legal changes after more than 100 fires broke out in the country’s northeast during a severe North African heatwave.
The government’s official death toll is 12.
However, journalist Nozha Khelalef compiled a count of 200 people reported dead, using family death notices and information from local officials.
Her findings were published by independent outlet Twala.
Justice Minister Lotfi Boudjemaa told lawmakers the new penalties were warranted to deter the crimes.
He said the scale of arson amounted to organised criminal activity and cited investigations pointing to possible involvement by foreign parties, according to AFP.
Forest fires are common in Algeria during summer. Climate change has contributed to the growing intensity and severity of recent blazes.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong