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Algeria: Reports of Groupes islamiques armés (GIA) destroying locomotives and targeting railway employees in Algeria

While not specifically referring to the Groupes armés islamiques (GIA), a 26 February 2002 El Watan report states that some 60 locomotives of the Algerian Société nationale des transports ferroviaires (SNTF) have been destroyed, and 30 others damaged, by Islamists in Algeria.

A 16 June 1999 report of the Algerian newspaper Liberté states that:

[Translation]

according to a report prepared by the SNTF labour union, losses incurred by the public-owned company caused by acts of terrorism and sabotage perpetrated since 1992 amount to 10 billion dinars. Sixty-four high-powered Diesel locomotives have been destroyed or severely damaged, as well as 74 passenger cars and 199 freight cars. Most of the damages were perpetrated on the lines between Algiers and Tizi Ouzou, Constantine and Oran. Ninety-five SNTF employees, most of them mechanics, have been killed. A further 389 employees were injured. The SNTF suffered 223 sabotage acts.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

Liberté [Algiers]. 17 June 1999. "Violences." <http://old.nothingness.org/kebekaktif/reseau/digests/Jun99/Ju 19-99-138.html> [Accessed 9 May 2002]

El-Watan [Algiers]. 26 February 2002. "Transport ferroviaire: des équipements vétustes." <http://www.elwatan.com/journal/html/2002/02/26/actualite.htm> [Accessed 9 May 2002]