France said Tuesday it was expelling 12 Algerian diplomatic officials a day after Algeria announced the expulsion of the same number of French officials in escalating tensions between the two countries.

The move followed expulsions of French officials by Algeria after an Algerian official was accused of kidnapping an influencer who had been granted political asylum in France.

Firstpost Africa | N18G Algeria has ordered 12 French officials to leave the country. This move comes after French authorities filed charges against an Algerian consular official last week. The consular,