Algeria Roundup: Library digitisation, Energy hub, US$222,000 stolen jewellery

Police recover stolen jewellery worth over US$222,000

Algerian police in Bechar have recovered gold jewellery valued at more than 3 billion centimes, along with 500 million centimes in cash, following a robbery at a family residence. The operation was carried out by the search and intervention squad of the provincial judicial police service, El Khabar reports. Three suspects, including two women, were arrested on charges of forming a criminal gang and carrying out theft using counterfeit keys. After obtaining authorisation from prosecutors, police searched the suspects’ homes, recovering most of the stolen items. Legal proceedings have been initiated, and the suspects have been referred to the competent prosecution office.

Libraries embrace digitisation

Experts and academics have called for accelerated digitisation of Algeria’s cultural heritage, as the Third National Forum on the Role of Libraries in Documenting, Digitising and Promoting Cultural Heritage concluded in Constantine. Hosted by the Mustafa Natour Public Reading Library, the forum emphasised that libraries are no longer just repositories of books but have become digital gateways safeguarding national memory. Speakers highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and digital mediation in preserving manuscripts and making heritage more accessible to younger, tech-savvy generations. Presentations included case studies on manuscript digitisation, AI-assisted cataloguing, and the integration of archives and libraries to ensure both authenticity and public access to cultural heritage.

Algeria emerges as a key energy hub in Africa

Energy and Renewable Energies Minister Mourad Adjal has declared Algeria a major energy hub at the continental level, citing large-scale infrastructure projects aimed at transforming the country’s energy landscape. Speaking at the launch of an 82-megawatt solar power plant in Ghardaia, the minister highlighted the “energy century project,” which will connect northern and southern Algeria through an electricity grid spanning over 1,600 kilometres, El Massa reports. The Ghardaia facility, covering 200 hectares, is expected to strengthen photovoltaic capacity and create jobs during construction and operation. Adjal also inspected works on a high-voltage substation designed to boost electricity supply to households, farms, and industries, urging faster completion before the end of next year.

Law criminalising French colonialism

Algeria’s National Defence Committee has held consultations on a proposed law criminalising French colonialism, describing it as a step toward justice, accountability, and preservation of national memory. The draft law, spanning five chapters and 27 articles, seeks to legally define colonial crimes committed between 1830 and 1962, demand official recognition and apology from France, and provide for material and moral compensation. It also includes provisions against glorifying colonialism and calls for the cleanup of nuclear test sites, return of archives and cultural property, and repatriation of remains of resistance figures. The proposal is expected to be debated in the People’s National Assembly next week.

32 online fraud networks dismantled

Algerian security services have dismantled 32 criminal networks specialising in online fraud and scams, arresting 197 people, including suspects linked to an international network operating from Asia. Authorities said the networks used phishing, malware, social engineering, and impersonation tactics, causing financial losses exceeding 52.9 billion centimes, alongside additional sums in foreign currencies. Suspects are expected to be presented before regional prosecutors.