400,000 Algerians fought with French army against Revolution

French newspaper Libération said about 400,000 Algerians were enrolled in France’s army against the Liberation Revolution in 1954-1962. A number of Harkis were involved in torture operations on Algerians. They filed a lawsuit against a French journalist who accused them of exercising torture.

An investigation showed that many Harkis who stayed in Algeria said they tortured Algerians. One of them living in Sidi Belabbes said a war veteran died of torture, according to the same source.

The Paris Court started handling an unprecedented lawsuit filed by Harkis’ Association in France. They washed hands of their dark past and torture operations. Their representative Ismai Boufhal sued a French journalist alleging that he made offending accusations against Harkis.

Harkis topic has always been controversial. French Senate has recently said Harkis have caused 40 billion loss to France since Algeria’s independence.