Algeria's warning shots lead to fatal incident with Moroccan jet ski tourists

author: FutureCar Staff    

Algeria's defence ministry announced on Sunday that its coastguard had fired warning shots before opening fire on a man riding a jet ski who had entered Algerian waters. The incident occurred on Tuesday when five men on jet skis strayed into Algerian waters near the Moroccan coastal resort of Saidia on the border of Algeria. Mohamed Kissi, a survivor of the shooting, provided this account of the incident.

The Algerian defence ministry released a statement on Sunday detailing their version of events. They stated that after multiple attempts, shots were fired at a jet ski and that another body, with gunshot wounds, was recovered the following day.

In a video published by Morocco's le360 news site, Kissi explained that the group of friends had been approached by an Algerian government vessel after dark. He claimed to have heard the boat firing on the group and stated that his brother, Bilal, and another man, Abdelali Mchiouer, were both shot dead. Smail Snabi, another member of the group, was reportedly detained by the Algerian authorities.

The border between Algeria and Morocco has been closed since 1994, and the two countries have had no diplomatic relations since 2021 when Algiers cut ties with Rabat. The Algerian statement added that due to the intense activity of drug smuggling gangs and organized crime in the maritime border area, the coastguard fired warning shots.

Kissi disputed the Algerian account, stating that he did not hear any warning shots and only heard direct gunshots that killed his brother, Bilal. He also confirmed that Abdelali Mchiouer was shot dead. Mchiouer's father expressed that they are still waiting for his body to be released for a proper burial.

The Moroccan authorities refrained from commenting on the case, considering it a judicial matter. The Moroccan prosecutor confirmed that they are investigating the "violent incident." Mohamed and Bilal Kissi, along with Smail Snabi, who is presumed to have been arrested, hold dual Moroccan and French nationality, according to local media.

Morocco's National Human Rights Council condemned the killing and called for the release of Snabi, who they claim was quickly sentenced to 18 months in jail. France's Foreign Ministry stated that it had been informed of the death of one of its nationals and the detention of another in Algeria. They assured that they are in contact with the families and authorities in both Morocco and Algeria.

Bilal Kissi's body was discovered by Moroccan fishermen and was buried near the eastern Moroccan city of Oujda on Wednesday, as confirmed by his brother.

FutureCar Staff