A so-called social media influencer who goes by the pseudonym ‘Zazouyoucef’ on TikTok has been accused of calling for the shooting of opponents of the Algerian regime in France.
Zazouyoucef, with a reported following of 400,000 people, made death threats to those who wanted to demonstrate against the Algerian community at New Year celebrations in Paris.
“We are going to shoot you. You’re going to be raped. And you want to go out on January 1? Where? Shoot them, we have to make the powder talk, President Tebboune, they want chaos … Shoot them, even if he’s my brother, shoot him, they’re paid by France,” the influencer allegedly posted.
“Those who go out in Paris, we will take care of them … They will be buried with the Jews.”
Incitation à commettre des attentats terroristes. ⚡️
"zazouyoucef" habite Brest et suivi par plus de 400k sur Tiktok appelle à commettre des attentats en France le 1er janvier contre toute personne qui manifesterait à Paris contre le régime Algérien. @BrunoRetailleau @GDarmanin pic.twitter.com/9AAOSxHLHl— Jugé Coupable (@JCoupable) January 1, 2025
In another video, shared by Chawki Benzhera, an Algerian activist who had fled to France, Zazouyoucef apparently made a throat-sliding gesture while declaring himself “at war” and, along with a group of individuals, allegedly called for shootings and sexual assaults on French soil.
“We are at war. At the slightest misstep, we’re going to f*ck your mothers … They say, ‘Zazou called for them to be shot.’ Yes, I said it. And those who are in Paris paid by France … Get out of your rat nests … You’re going to be raped … Long live Algeria,” he allegedly said.
In the video, another person can also be heard saying: “We’re going to finish you off.”
The video led to widespread calls for action, with many social media users demanding the TikTok personality, whose content regularly featured anti-Semitic rhetoric and conspiracy theories, be immediately deported from France.
On the morning of January 3, Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau announced Zazouyoussef’s arrest.
“Algerian influencer ‘Zazouyoussef’ who called on his community to commit attacks in France, will have to answer for his actions before the courts. He was arrested this morning in Brest. Thanks to the magistrates and the police who made this arrest possible. We don’t let anything pass,” Retailleau said on X.
If the allegations are proven, Zazouyoucef could face imprisonment and a hefty fine for glorifying violence and incitement to hatred.
His original account was already banned from TikTok, but it appears that he has been active via another.
Under the handle ‘zazou2729’ he has reportedly been uploading videos since November, also amassing a considerable following.
Benzehra alleged that Zazouyoucef’s real name is Youcef Aziria and that he’s 25 years old.
Aziria was sentenced to a year in prison in December 2023 for participating in riots and burning down a sports centre. He later posted photos of himself at the riots in Brest.
Algeria had a violent civil war in the nineties, a period that is called the Black Decade, costing the lives of up to 150,000 people.
