A Pakistani man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison by a Paris court for carrying out a terrorist knife attack near the former offices of Charlie Hebdo in 2020.
Knife Attack Linked to Charlie Hebdo Cartoons
The attacker, Zaheer Mahmood, 29, was found guilty of attempted murder and terrorist conspiracy after stabbing two people outside the old Charlie Hebdo building. The victims survived, but the attack revived painful memories of the 2015 Charlie Hebdo massacre.
Mahmood told authorities that he was angered by the magazine’s cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad and acted out in retaliation. However, he did not know that the magazine had moved from the location years earlier.
Radical Influence Behind the Attack
Investigators revealed that Mahmood was influenced by the hardline cleric Khadim Hussain Rizvi, a leader who promoted blasphemy laws in Pakistan. Rizvi had organized protests against Charlie Hebdo after they republished controversial cartoons in 2020.
Mahmood entered France illegally in 2019 and lived among Pakistani communities, according to his lawyer, who said he never fully integrated into French society.
Five Others Also Sentenced
Five other Pakistani men were also convicted for helping Mahmood plan the attack. Their sentences ranged from three to 12 years in prison.
Charlie Hebdo Continues to Defend Free Speech
The attack once again highlighted ongoing tensions over freedom of expression in France. Charlie Hebdo remains known for its strong defense of satire and free speech, despite ongoing threats.
Earlier this month, the magazine marked the 10th anniversary of the 2015 attacks with a cover titled “Indestructible,” reinforcing its commitment to satire and resilience.
Magazine director Laurent Sourisseau (Riss), a survivor of the 2015 attack, said:
“Laughter and satire give us hope. We will never stop.“