Algerian Intelligence Services: Reasons for Their Failure

Espionage Scandal in France

On the afternoon of Wednesday, March 12, sensational news spread through the editorial offices of French media outlets:

“A French Ministry of Finance official indicted for espionage on behalf of Algeria,” headlined French newspapers on their websites.

A striking title suggesting economic espionage—an area rarely discussed nowadays.

However, minutes later, initial reports revealed an entirely different reality: yet another failed operation by Algerian intelligence services, whose primary mission now seems to be hunting down regime opponents.

According to the French newspaper Le Monde, the prosecution stated:

“This man is suspected of having been in regular contact with an Algerian national working at the Algerian consulate in Créteil and of having provided them with personal information and details about asylum requests from Algerians, particularly well-known opponents of the regime.”

Sources close to the investigation indicated that the targets included:

• Two Algerians with international arrest warrants for terrorism.
• A journalist in exile.
• An Algerian who filed a complaint in France against an Algerian general.

Some of these individuals had been victims of violence, death threats, or kidnapping attempts.

Instead of being an economic espionage case, it turned out to be a campaign of threats and manipulation orchestrated by Algerian intelligence to gather information on asylum seekers and political dissidents, according to the lawyer representing the French official, Sipan Ohanian.

A major disappointment for those expecting an intriguing spy story!

A Glorious Past Turned into a Memory

Algerian intelligence was not always this weak. In the past, it played crucial roles, such as:

• In the 1970s: Algerian officer Rachid Tabti disguised himself as an Arab prince to seduce a secretary at the Élysée Palace, aiming to obtain information on French-Algerian oil negotiations.
• In the Middle East: Algeria acted as an intermediary between Palestinian-Lebanese organizations and Western countries, playing a key role in hostage negotiations.
• The U.S. hostage crisis in Iran (1979-1981): Algeria’s diplomatic intervention was internationally praised, especially by the United States.
• 1987: French security services requested Algerian intelligence assistance in securing the bicentennial celebrations of the French Revolution.

A Decline Without Return

Today, the situation is drastically different. Algerian intelligence services have fallen to their lowest level, both internally and externally.

Domestically, Algerians have lost trust in these agencies, as seen during the Hirak protests, where demonstrators chanted:

“Terrorist intelligence services, down with the military mafia!”

But why are they called terrorists?

• During the Black Decade, Algerian intelligence was infamous for conducting brutal nighttime raids on civilians under the pretext of counterterrorism.
• Women, children, and the elderly were subjected to violence and robbery during these operations.
• Over 20,000 forced disappearances were recorded, with victims reportedly executed inside intelligence agency barracks.

One of the key figures accused of these crimes is General Abdelkader Haddad, also known as Nacer El-Djen, currently serving as Director of National Security. A former military officer testified about his crimes, and a video of his confessions continues to circulate online.

Intelligence Agencies Turned into Repression Tools

Since the rise of Tebboune and Chengriha to power, Algeria’s Directorate of Internal Security has abandoned its primary duties—counterespionage and national security—focusing instead on:

• Persecuting political dissidents.
• Deploying cyber armies to attack opposition YouTube channels and Facebook pages.
• Hunting down exiled journalists, activists, and politicians abroad.

Several failed assassination attempts have been orchestrated, including:

• In Belgium and France (November 2021).
• In Barcelona (October 17, 2024).

Internal Divisions and Power Struggles

Beyond its declining effectiveness, the intelligence services are plagued by internal conflicts, with many high-ranking officers arrested. Four former heads of security agencies have been jailed in the Blida military prison.

This collapse is due to:

• Lack of proper training.
• Corruption and nepotism.
• The transformation of security agencies into tools for personal and political interests.

Rather than protecting the country, Algerian intelligence services have become a threat to national security, harming Algeria more than safeguarding it.

✍ By Hichem Aboud