Pak man gets jailed for 30 years for killing two by Paris court
Pakistani National Sentenced for Attack in Paris
A French court in Paris has sentenced Zaheer Mahmood, a 29-year-old Pakistani national, to 30 years in prison for attempted murder and terrorist conspiracy. Mahmood was involved in a knife attack on two individuals outside the former offices of the satirical magazine 'Charlie Hebdo' in 2020. He will be banned from France after serving his sentence.
Background of the Attack
Mahmood arrived illegally in France in 2019. He attacked two people who were on a cigarette break, unaware that Charlie Hebdo had moved its offices following a deadly attack in 2015. That attack, carried out by al-Qaeda-linked gunmen, resulted in 12 deaths, including eight staff members of the magazine. The attack was in response to the magazine's caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad.
Trial and Sentencing
Alongside Mahmood, five other Pakistani men were tried for aiding his actions. They received sentences ranging from three to 12 years. Mahmood was influenced by Khadim Hussain Rizvi, a hardline cleric who founded the Tehrik-i-Labaik Pakistan party, known for supporting Pakistan's blasphemy laws.
Motivation and Reaction
During police interrogations, Mahmood expressed that the magazine's drawings had angered him. On the morning of the attack, he shared a video on social media expressing his intent to revolt. The 2015 attack had sparked global debates on free expression, with many showing solidarity with Charlie Hebdo through marches and the slogan "Je Suis Charlie."
Doubts Revealed
Pakistani National
A Pakistani national is a person who is a citizen of Pakistan, a country in South Asia.
Zaheer Mahmood
Zaheer Mahmood is the name of the person from Pakistan who was involved in the attack near Charlie Hebdo's former office.
Charlie Hebdo
Charlie Hebdo is a French magazine known for its satirical cartoons, which sometimes make fun of religious figures and political leaders.
Former Office
The former office refers to the old location where Charlie Hebdo used to work before they moved to a new place.
Knife Attack
A knife attack is when someone uses a knife to try to hurt or harm other people.
Cleric Khadim Hussain Rizvi
Khadim Hussain Rizvi was a religious leader from Pakistan who was known for his strong views and speeches.
Caricatures
Caricatures are drawings that exaggerate certain features of a person or thing, often used to make fun of them.
Prophet Mohammad
Prophet Mohammad is a very important figure in Islam, the religion followed by Muslims.
2015 Attack
The 2015 attack refers to a previous violent incident at Charlie Hebdo's office, which led to discussions about freedom of speech around the world.
Free Expression
Free expression means the right to say or write what you think without being stopped or punished, as long as it doesn't harm others.
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