Naturalised - Military service

I've recently been naturalised as a British Citizen. I'm 20 years old, and have lived in the UK since I was 5 years old, being a student the whole time (and still a student now). As far as I know, my country (Algeria), has compulsory military service. I have a few questions:

- I have no intentions to go back to Algeria, but I do have an Algerian passport - Will I be breaking any laws by staying in the UK?
- Is there any way I can be extradited to Algeria from the UK despite (soon) having a British passport?

Any help, thank you.

I come form a country where it is compulsory to serve the army and since I am officially citizen of that country I am obliged by law to go to army, no matter if I am citizen of another country as well. I am almost sure you are not breaking any UK law but not so sure about Algeria.
As for second question, I know some British citizens have been extradited to USA for various crimes (arms dealing, computer hacking) but I suggest you ask someone who knows better.

Unfortunately because you are also holding an Algerian passport, you are an Algerian citizen as they allow dual-nationality, and you are registered as an Algerian citizen even though you were naturalized as British.

And unfortunately as such the military service is compulsory for you and can not get away with it, and surely the Algerian consulate in U.K has your details.

Can they extradite you? I have no idea... Best thing is to contact the Algerian consulate to avoid any uncomfortable situation/confrontation.

Another option will be to give up on your Algerian citizenship, not sure if you can though, but worth asking the consulate.

Good luck!

Thank you, as I am a student I'll be able to at least finish my studies.

My main worries is that I do not speak any Arabic, I have not visited Algeria since I was 5 years old, I have no idea of the culture there nor of the people there. In my eyes I'm British, and have no connection to Algeria.

Well technically you do have connection as you were born there. And also when you receive your British passport, it will say 'Algeria' on it as your place of birth. So you will have always that connection with your home country, Algeria, even as a British citizen, written on your passport...

ryan1512lon wrote:Well technically you do have connection as you were born there. And also when you receive your British passport, it will say 'Algeria' on it as your place of birth. So you will have always that connection with your home country, Algeria, even as a British citizen, written on your passport...

I understand that, but I'm worried how I will be able to do anything in the military service without being able to speak the language. I will speak to my embassy on Monday, the last time I spoke to them they told me that as I'm a student I don't have to do it. After my studies, there is also a military card for those working to support their families - so perhaps I will get that. However, the person at the embassy told me this is if I want to travel to Algeria, and as I do not, I *hope* it's not necessary for me to get these documents, seeing as I have no plans to go there.

warz123, do you have an idea what it means do do a military service in Algeria and what potential dangers you might be facing and not to mention that you are far more British than Algerian and not being able to speak Arabic?
In your place I would seek any possible way to avoid going to army there. This is by no means any disrespect.

milan69 wrote:warz123, do you have an idea what it means do do a military service in Algeria and what potential dangers you might be facing and not to mention that you are far more British than Algerian and not being able to speak Arabic?
In your place I would seek any possible way to avoid going to army there. This is by no means any disrespect.

No disrespect taken, I imagine if I was called to go to the army it would be a horrible 18 months. I don't know what they would expect me to do seeing as I wont be able to understand their instructions. I have my student pass until I graduate (3 years), so I will call the embassy on Tuesday and see what they advise (though they don't seem particularly helpful last time I went, as I'm not exactly "Algerian" and spoke only in English, while everyone else were speaking Arabic).

If anyone has been in a similar situation please advise, the fear of being deported is really taking a toll.

I can't see you being extradited to serve in the military. People are extradited for criminal acts as a rule. You're not resident in Algeria, plus due to the potential breaches of human rights - torture the UK would be hard pressed to send someone to Algeria. I would consider renouncing your Algerian nationality if you have no interest in being an Algerian citizen. Voluntary renunciation of Algerian citizenship is permitted by law, contact the Embassy to fill in the necessary paperwork.

Amber_ wrote:I can't see you being extradited to serve in the military. People are extradited for criminal acts as a rule. You're not resident in Algeria, plus due to the potential breaches of human rights - torture the UK would be hard pressed to send someone to Algeria. I would consider renouncing your Algerian nationality if you have no interest in being an Algerian citizen. Voluntary renunciation of Algerian citizenship is permitted by law, contact the Embassy to fill in the necessary paperwork.

I hope you're correct. I've been reading stories online about those who had to do military service (albeit not in Algeria) and were forced to no matter what, but your comment as put me at ease.

Just in case things get bad, what type of lawyer would I be looking for in case I need some advice?

One on the lines of http://www.hja.net/what-we-do/serious-f ... ition.aspx although, I'm not recommending this particular one.

1.you cannot be extradited.
2. Algerian students are exampt from army duties until they finished their studies , given they prove they are studying.
3.there has been examptions and amnesties for about a decade now for different people and categories .
4.showing military card when entring or exiting the country has been abolished 11 years ago.
5.if you are afraid , use your british passport when going there, of course after getting a visa £80.
6.do not bother calling the embassy or the consulat , they have nsver picked up the phone.
7.i was in the algerian army for 18 months during the war for the extermination of terrorists, I was well fed, well equiped, it was hard, but never mistreated, being an officer help, I met great people , had goot times and bad times , lost friends and gained manybfriends.
8.being in the army , any army , will get you in the non official squaddy brotherhood.tell another soldier from any country that you served your colours and they will hug you and the deluge of funny and non fun stories will wrap you.
9. I feel honoured and previliged to have served.
10.you need any help in speaking and understanding algerian I will help you , whether it is the local dialect or berber

Hi There im a British citizen and im born in the UK i also have a Algerian passport im 18 in august do i hâve to do military service in algeria or Can i do it in England because i can't speak arabic ro write it my mum is english and my dad is algerian what can i do?