Suspects identified in attack on French newspaper

Thursday, January 8, 2015 | 16:37:15

(VOVworld) – French police have identified 3 suspects in Wednesday’s attack which killed 12 people at the Paris office of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.

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The office of Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris where 3 gunmen killed 12 people, including the magazine’s top editor, cartoonists, an economist, and police officers. (Photo: AFP)

The police have issued arrest warrants for brothers Said and Cherif Kouachi, 32 and 34, French nationals. Hamyd Mourad, 18, was taken into custody after he gave himself up to the police early Thursday. A French official said the suspects are connected to a Yemeni terror network. Cherif Kouachi was sentenced to three years in prison in 2008 for participating in a group sending jihadist fighters to Iraq.

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French police photos of the Kouachi brothers - Cherif (L) and Said (R).

French President Francois Hollande declared a day of national mourning in a televised address late Wednesday. He said the attackers will be arrested and punished by the law. He called on the French people to unite as the best weapon to protect freedom and fight cruel acts.

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French President Francois Hollande arrives at the scene of the massacre.(Photo: AFP)

In an emergency meeting at the Élysée Palace, French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve pledged to protect the French people after the attack. France has raised its security alert for Paris and neighbouring areas to the highest level. Security in public spaces in France, including gas stations, airports, harbours, has been strengthened.

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Rallies outside the European Parliament in Brussels.

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Rallies outside the French Embassy in Madrid.

More than 100,000 people gathered in Paris and 15 other French cities to condemn the attack. Several French newspapers changed their mastheads’ colours to black and displayed the banner “Nous sommes Charlie Hebdo” (We are Charlie Hebdo) in their Thursday publication.

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Charlie Hebdo dominates press all around the world.

The UN Security Council condemned the attack, calling it an “intolerable terrorist act.” EC President Donald Tusk urged for strengthening the fight against terrorism. US President Barack Obama condemned the “horrific shooting”, offering to provide any assistance needed “to help bring these terrorists to justice.” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Indian people stand together with the French people. The Arab League also condemned the attack.
Italy set its security alert at the highest level after the attack in Paris. Security was tightened at government buildings, embassies in Rome, and the Vatican. Spain’s media conglomerate Prisa evacuated staff at its Madrid office after receiving a suspicious package.

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British Prime Minister David Cameron (L) invites German Chancellor Angela Merkel to a joint security briefing in the wake of a terrorist attack in Paris.

German Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière said there is “no indication of similar attack plans in Germany or concrete evidence of terrorist motivated attacks in Germany.” He said French and German security officials are exchanging security information.
British Prime Minister David Cameron held a meeting with the government’s Cobra emergency committee Thursday. The British Foreign Office warned that there is a “high threat from terrorism” and attacks “could be indiscriminate.” Theresa May, British Home Secretary, said the attack at Charlie Hebdo highlighted the threat that Britain faces.