Franco-Algerian influencer to stand trial in March [Video]

A Franco-Algerian influencer, arrested as part of an investigation into online hate videos, appeared before French prosecutors on Saturday and will stand trial in March, authorities said.

A diplomatic row between France and Algeria has flared up over the arrests of several Algerian social media influencers accused of inciting violence.

Sofia Benlemmane, a Franco-Algerian woman in her fifties, was arrested on Thursday.

Followed on TikTok and Facebook by more than 300,000 people, she is accused of spreading hate messages and threats against Internet users and against opponents of the Algerian authorities, as well as insulting statements about France.

She was ordered to appear before a criminal court on March 18, the public prosecutor’s office said.

She is being prosecuted for a series of offences including incitement to commit a crime, death threats and “public insult based on origin, ethnicity, nation, race or religion”.

The blogger had insulted a woman during …