Influencer Doualemn Expelled to Algeria, Sent Back to France, and Detained

Known as “Doualemn,” an Algerian influencer arrested in Montpellier on January 5 for posting a TikTok video inciting violence was expelled to Algeria on Thursday, January 9. However, Algerian authorities, citing his ban from entering their territory, refused to accept him. He was sent back to France the same day.

Return Under Police Escort

Upon his return that evening, Doualemn was placed in the Mesnil-Amelot administrative detention center (Seine-et-Marne), still under police escort. The influencer, who holds Algerian nationality and is not a French citizen, had been living in France legally with a residence permit. This permit was revoked following a deportation order signed by the Interior Ministry.

Allegations Against Him

According to the Montpellier prosecutor’s office, Doualemn allegedly called for a “severe punishment” to be inflicted on a man believed to reside in Algeria in a video flagged to authorities. Interpreters appointed by the Montpellier Court of Appeal confirmed that the phrases “kill him” or any explicit call to kill a person named “Cohen” were not present in the video. The influencer admitted to the allegations, stating he was under the influence of drug substitution treatment at the time.

Series of Arrests

Meanwhile, two other Algerian influencers were arrested in Brest and near Grenoble in recent days for similar offenses. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau welcomed Doualemn’s arrest, highlighting the authorities’ vigilance in combating incitements to violence on social media.