Paris court sentences Pakistani man to 30 years for 2020 Charlie Hebdo attack
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A Pakistani man was sentenced to 30 years in prison by a Paris court for his attempted murder of two individuals outside the former offices of Charlie Hebdo in 2020 using a meat cleaver.
Zaheer Mahmood, 29, was under the misconception that the satirical newspaper still operated from the location, which had been the target of an Islamist attack a decade prior due to its publication of cartoons featuring the Prophet Muhammad.
In reality, the newspaper had relocated after the tragic incident in 2015, which resulted in the deaths of 12 individuals, including eight members of the editorial team. This event profoundly shocked France and sparked intense discussion regarding freedom of expression and the role of religion.
Mahmood, who hails from rural Pakistan, entered France unlawfully during the summer of 2019. The court proceedings revealed that his radicalization was influenced by Pakistani preacher Khadim Hussain Rizvi, who had advocated for the execution of blasphemers as a means to “avenge the Prophet.”
He faced charges of attempted murder and conspiracy related to terrorism, in addition to receiving a lifetime prohibition from entering France again.
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