Algeria: 23 child abduction cases reported in 2016

Investigations conducted by the National Gendarmerie forces showed that the main reasons behind child abduction is sexual abuse, witchcraft and ransom.

“Fighting child abduction is a priority for the National Gendarmerie forces. This act is horrible and is perpetrated on weak and sensitive people,” said the National Gendarmerie Commander Menad Nouba.

He added that teams in charge of protecting minors were deployed to all the National Gendarmerie departments.

“Minors should be protected from cybercrimes by constantly following up this phenomenon,” he said.

Gendarmes will take training courses as part of cooperation with leading nations in fighting child abduction. A training session is conducted at the National Gendarmerie’s Higher School in Algiers. Gendarmes and policemen are learning from the US experience in child abduction-related investigation techniques. The training is organized in coordination with American experts at the FBI.

General Abdelhakim Boucham said the Public Security Department reported more than 60 child abduction cases during three years. A total of 23 cases were reported in 2016. Of them, 18 were treated while investigations are still underway about the other five cases. In 2015, a total of 15 cases were reported compared to 22 in 2014.

He added that investigations showed that the main reason behind child abduction is sexual abuse. Most of the kidnappers are relatives. Girls are the most exposed to abduction and sexual abuse.

The investigations also showed that most of the kidnappers are between 18 and 29. Algiers and Oran top the list of child abduction cases.

The representative of National Police Department Samir Chenaf said most of reported child abduction were motivated by sexual abuse purposes.

Judge Siham Bechiri said criminal courts treated 22 cases in 2016. A number of accused people got death penalty.