Terrorist arrested in Algeria calls on al-Qaeda branch to surrender

A “terrorist” arrested by the Algerian army three weeks ago has called on the leaders of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) to put down their arms and surrender.

A video broadcast on Algerian state television broadcast the words of Laslous Madani, also known as Assem Abu Hayyan, who was arrested three weeks ago in the country’s coastal province Skikda.

On March 17, the Algerian defence minister announced the killing of an Islamist “terrorist” and the arrest of seven others including emir Batyeb Youssef (a.k.a. Osama Abu Sufyan al-Nigassi), one of the leaders of the organisation, during a military operation in the Skikda province.

Madani said in the video that he had first entered a terrorist organisation in March 1994.

He called on the current AQIM leader, known as Abu Khalil Idris, to put down his arms and surrender, saying that he had repented and had ceased all armed activities.

“You should surrender and hand over your weapons to the authorities. This message is being sent of my own will without any coercion,” the prisoner added.

In recent years, groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (ISIS) have spread to a limited extent across northern Algeria.

Source: Ansamed