Nightmare at Sea: Ismail Snabi Recounts His Harrowing Experience with Algerian Coast Guards

Paris, France - Ismail Snabi, a 28-year-old Franco-Moroccan, has finally returned home to Clichy-sous-Bois, after spending a year in an Algerian prison. His nightmare began on August 29, 2023, when he and three friends, including two brothers, embarked on a jet-ski adventure from the Moroccan city of Saïdia to the Algerian coast.

A Day that Turned into a Nightmare

The four friends, all experienced jet-ski riders, set off from Saïdia in the late afternoon, intending to return to the marina by nightfall. However, as the sun began to set, they became disoriented in the thick fog that had rolled in, and accidentally crossed into Algerian territorial waters.

A Fatal Encounter

At around 8 pm, the Algerian coast guard intercepted the group, and a confrontation ensued. Bilal Kissi, 28, and Abdelali Mchiouer, 40, were fatally shot by the Algerian authorities, while Mohamed Kissi, 33, managed to escape by swimming back to the Moroccan coast. Ismail Snabi was taken into custody by the Algerian military.

A Year of Detention

Ismail Snabi spent the next 12 months in an Algerian prison, where he claims to have been subjected to harsh conditions and mistreatment. He was finally released on September 5, 2024, and returned to France, where he was reunited with his wife and three young children.

A Plea for Justice

Ismail Snabi's ordeal has left him traumatized, and he is now seeking justice for the loss of his friends and the suffering he endured. He has filed a complaint with the French authorities, alleging that the Algerian coast guard used excessive force and violated international maritime law.

Maritime Border Disputes

The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between Morocco and Algeria over their maritime border. The two countries have a long-standing dispute over the delimitation of their territorial waters, which has led to several incidents of violence and detention in recent years.

International Maritime Law

The incident also raises questions about the application of international maritime law, particularly in relation to the use of force by coast guard vessels. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) sets out rules for the use of force by warships and coast guard vessels, including the requirement to use proportionate force and to avoid causing harm to people or the environment.

Timeline of Events

• August 29, 2023: Ismail Snabi and three friends set off on a jet-ski adventure from Saïdia, Morocco.
• 8 pm: The group is intercepted by the Algerian coast guard in Algerian territorial waters.
• Bilal Kissi and Abdelali Mchiouer are fatally shot by the Algerian authorities.
• Mohamed Kissi escapes by swimming back to the Moroccan coast.
• Ismail Snabi is taken into custody by the Algerian military.
• September 5, 2024: Ismail Snabi is released from prison and returns to France.

Table: Maritime Border Disputes between Morocco and Algeria