The crime of kidnapping in Algerian Law

Abstract

This paper is of particular importance because kidnapping has increased in Algeria in recent years. The phenomenon has become more severe, and the number of victims has also grown across different ages and social groups. Organized criminal groups have appeared and committed kidnapping against both citizens and foreigners. They have often detained the victims to pressure a third party, usually the government, in order to influence its decisions or to obtain a benefit or advantage. This situation has created fear within civil society. As a result, the Algerian legislator adopted a special law on the prevention and suppression of kidnapping. This is Law 20/15, which sets out the penalties for kidnapping adults and children. It also includes procedural and preventive measures to confront this crime. In this article, we examine the conceptual framework of kidnapping and assess whether the provisions enacted by the Algerian legislator are sufficient to deter and counter these crimes.