Interpol's Phoenix operation captures two France-wanted fugitives in Algeria

Interpol announced that its three-week "Phoenix" operation, aimed at terrorism and criminal networks in the Middle East and North Africa, captured two fugitives sought by French authorities in Algeria. Both men, whose identities were not disclosed, had previously escaped French prisons and taken refuge in Algeria; one was detained at Houari Boumediene International Airport in Algiers, the other at a border checkpoint between Algeria and Tunisia.

The latter had been convicted of murder and sentenced to 15 years, while the former is alleged to have organized a 2022 shooting in Toulouse after serving an eight-year term for drug trafficking and weapons offenses. The mission, involving Algeria, Jordan, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia, led to 48 arrests, eight of which were red-notice targets, and the seizure of luxury cars, cash, gold, large quantities of Captagon and methamphetamine, phones and contraband cigarettes. All operational tasks were carried out by female police officers, a regional first, under the direction of María Carmen Muñoz González and as part of the three-year Momentum-MENA project to strengthen police capabilities.