As Algerians push France to open its colonial archives, the family of a man who vanished long ago yearns for answers

As Algerians push France to open its colonial archives, the family of a man who vanished long ago yearns for answers
Siobhán O'Grady, Rick Noack
© Family photo
Rachid and Samia Asselah are held as babies. The twins were not yet 2 years old when their father was arrested in 1957.
ALGIERS —At the time of his arrest, Slimane Asselah left only a rectangular brown suitcase behind. Inside was a gray-checked suit, two hairbrushes, various paperwork and an identity photo showing his pensive face.
For decades, these few belongings offered Asselah’s children, Rachid and Samia, a rare glimpse into their father’s life. The twins were just shy of 2 years old in 1957 when French troops seized Asselah, then 33, at the doctor’s office where he worked in the casbah of Algiers. He never returned home.

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