Hassi Messaoud, Algeria – Authorities have apprehended one suspect in connection with a violent assault that occurred in Hassi Messaoud. The arrest follows the circulation of a video on social media depicting an individual engaging in acts of violence against another person at a construction site within the city.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office at the Hassi Messaoud Court issued a statement confirming that an investigation was launched on October 21, 2025, immediately after the video surfaced. The footage allegedly showed a man using a thick electrical cable as a weapon.
According to the Public Prosecutor, initial investigations led to the identification of three suspects. One of them, identified as (Z.H.), 32 years old, has been taken into custody. The other two suspects, (A.Aq.), 46 years old, and (S.B.), 43 years old, remain at large.
On October 27, 2025, (Z.H.) was presented before the Public Prosecutor’s Office. All three individuals are facing charges including forming a criminal association with the intent to commit felonies against persons, kidnapping using violence, threats, and enticement, and subjecting the kidnapped person to torture. These actions are punishable under articles 176 and 177, paragraph 1 of the Penal Code, and articles 2 and 27 of the Law on the Prevention and Combating of Kidnapping.
The investigating judge, after questioning the arrested suspect, ordered his pre-trial detention. The judicial investigation is ongoing to uncover all the circumstances of the case and to apprehend the remaining fugitives. DZWatch will continue to provide updates as this story develops.
