The violent murder of a Swiss tourist in Algeria’s south earlier this month is an incident that cast a shadow over Algeria’s ability to secure tourism in its restive south.
Algerian authorities attempted to maintain a blackout on the violent murder, despite its horrendous character, until Swiss authorities unveiled it to the Associated Press.
New reports revealed that the Swiss murdered tourist had her throat slit before her children in front of a café in southern Algeria.
The murderer shouted “long live Palestine” as he killed the Swiss tourist in the desert city of Djanett, where Algeria aspired to promote tourism without offering the security and hospitality industry pre-requisites, the Daily Mail reported.
Swiss media RTS reported that the murderer also attempted to attack another group of tourists, but his attempts were thwarted.
The murder was committed while Algeria has been, in recent months, on a charm offensive seeking to promote tourism in its vast desertic south but without offering the security and hospitality industry pre-requisites.
The incident recalls the methods of terrorist groups that engage in murder and kidnapping for ransom of Western nationals.
In 2003, militants kidnapped 32 European tourists visiting southern Algeria.
In 2013, militants linked to al Qaeda stormed an oil refinery, where they held hundreds of Algerian and international workers hostage until security forces stormed the facility. At least 39 foreign hostages were killed.
In 2014, French tourist Herve Gourdel was beheaded by a loyal to the Jund al-Khilafa group, affiliated to the Islamic State.
Most western countries indicate Algeria’s south as a no-go area due to the presence of terrorist groups.