Canadian man says Algeria punished his activism by arresting his son

A Montreal man says Algerian authorities have retaliated against his political activism in Canada by imprisoning his son in Algeria, and that the Canadian government has not helped. 

Ammar Lakehal told Radio-Canada that his son Massinissa, who is not a Canadian citizen, has been detained since July 27, apparently due to his father's links to a political group banned by Algeria. 

Lakehal is one of a growing number of Canadian citizens of Kabyle origin who say they are being targeted by Algerian authorities.

Kabylia is a Berber-speaking region of Algeria whose habitants have their own language and culture. Some Kabyles— including Lakehal — advocate for the creation of an independent state.

In Canada, more than 37,000 people speak Kabyle, according to Statistics Canada.

Radio-Canada has learned the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has opened an investigation into allegations by citizens of Kabyle origin who say they are the subject of intimidation by the Algerian authorities. In response to an information request, the RCMP said, "we cannot confirm or deny the existence of a criminal investigation before the laying of criminal charges."

The investigation is being conducted by the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team, the unit in charge of the foreign interference file, according to information obtained by Radio-Canada. 

It was launched following a Radio-Canada/CBC report in June that revealed that members of this community had been surveilled and intimidated on Canadian soil.

Lakehal accuses Algerian authorities of targeting his son to silence his activism in Canada.

A few days before Massinissa's arrest, the 35-year-old called Lakehal from Algeria to tell him about a rumour that was circulating.

"It's difficult to hear your child say, 'Dad, I'm going to be arrested shortly and I know I am going to be tortured'," Lakehal recounted.

"He was arrested for being my son," he said.

Lakehal has long campaigned for the Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylia (MAK), and was the group's president of coordination for North America from 2018 to 2023.

He attended demonstrations in Canada and the United States demanding the release of political detainees in Algeria.