ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) – Up to 200,000 Algerians have died in a 15-year Islamic insurgency, the head of the government human rights body said Saturday – the highest official toll ever given.

The fighting started in 1992 when the army canceled a second round of voting in Algeria’s first multiparty legislative elections, to thwart a likely victory by the now-banned Islamic Salvation Front.

Between 150,000 and 200,000 had died since the violence began, Farouk Ksentini said.

The number killed has never been clear, but Ksentini’s figure was the highest estimated toll given by anyone representing the state. The dead also included security forces, he said.
guardian.co.uk

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