A French administrative tribunal has cancelled deportation orders against Algerian TikToker Boualem Naman, known as "Doualemn". The tribunal's decision, made on September 18, 2026, effectively ends a nearly two-year-long judicial battle over the 60-year-old's residency status in France. Naman, a cleaning agent living in Montpellier, was facing deportation to Algeria, but the tribunal ruled that the orders were unlawful.
The case began on March 14, 2025, when Naman was issued with a deportation order. He was subsequently taken to Algiers, but the Algerian authorities refused to accept him and sent him back to France. This unusual back-and-forth sparked widespread attention and raised questions about France's deportation policies. Naman was then held in administrative detention for approximately three months before being released and assigned to live in Montpellier under close supervision.
Naman's lawyer, Vanessa Edberg, had contested the deportation orders and the restrictions on her client's movements. The tribunal's decision follows a recommendation from the public rapporteur, who argued that the deportation orders should be cancelled due to procedural irregularities. The tribunal's ruling only addresses the administrative aspects of the case and does not affect Naman's separate conviction for making provocative statements on TikTok.
In March 2025, Naman was sentenced to five months in prison with a suspended sentence for "provocation not followed by effect to commit a crime or offense". The sentence was upheld by the appeals court in July 2026. While the administrative tribunal's decision allows Naman to remain in France, his conviction remains part of his judicial record.
The case has become a symbol of tensions between Paris and Algiers over deportation policies. Several other Algerian content creators have faced similar judicial proceedings, including Zazou Youcef, who was arrested in Brest for failing to comply with his assigned residence. The tribunals in southern France, particularly in Montpellier, have handled multiple cases related to the residency status of Algerian nationals.
Naman's case highlights the complexities of French deportation policies and the challenges faced by foreign nationals living in France. The tribunal's decision allows Naman to regularize his situation and avoid forced departure, but his conviction serves as a reminder of the consequences of making provocative statements online.
The ruling has been welcomed by Naman's supporters, who see it as a victory for human rights and the rule of law. As the case closes, attention turns to other contentious issues in French-Algerian relations, including the deportation of Algerian nationals and the processing of asylum claims.
Key points
- The French tribunal's decision only addresses the administrative aspects of the case and does not affect Naman's separate conviction for making provocative statements on TikTok.
- The case has become a symbol of tensions between Paris and Algiers over deportation policies.
- The tribunal's ruling allows Naman to remain in France and regularize his situation, but his conviction remains part of his judicial record.
