A video featuring well-known Algerian influencers has sparked controversy in Algeria, as it shows them celebrating a birthday by burning banknotes. Many condemned this act, and security forces intervened to apprehend those involved. The influencer known as Leila Mousta, whose TikTok page approaches a million followers, along with Karim Birat, held a birthday party for Karim in the capital, Algiers. They placed banknotes on the cake and set them on fire as if they were candles.
The short video shared by Leila on her page showed that the party was attended by a singer and several friends. Karim wore dozens of 1,000-dinar bills around his neck like a necklace while igniting the remaining bills on the cake.
The widely circulated video on social media outraged many Algerians, with one commenter stating, "An inappropriate act, at a time when thousands of Algerians are suffering from poverty and some may not have food to eat, this person burns money." Another remarked, "This gesture, besides being provocative, is meaningless; how can someone celebrate in this way?"
However, some dismissed the act, considering it merely a moment of madness, with one writing, "None of us knows whether Karim or others manage their money properly or not... This could just be his way of expressing joy."
After days of the video's release, security forces detained those involved, as damaging currency is punishable under Algerian law. In recent months, many Algerian influencers have faced legal repercussions due to deliberate or ignorant legal mistakes. The latest incident involved TikToker "Raouf," who celebrated reaching a million followers by painting the number on the ground with gasoline and setting it on fire, leading to his imprisonment for months. Prior, TikToker Kamel Qitara also engaged in unethical behavior and remains in jail, as do others like Noumidia L'zoul, Rivka, Inas Abdeli, and Stanley, each facing various charges.
