Zaheer Mahmood, 29, was sentenced to three decades for attempting to murder two employees of the Premieres Lignes news agency with a meat cleaver outside Charlie Hebdo's former offices in Paris in 2020. The incident follows the republishing of cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad, with Mahmood reportedly motivated by a radical preacher's call to "avenge the Prophet."
30-Year Sentence for Meat Cleaver Attack Outside Charlie Hebdo Offices
30-Year Sentence for Meat Cleaver Attack Outside Charlie Hebdo Offices
A Pakistani man faces 30 years in prison for a 2020 attack linked to the controversial republishing of Prophet Muhammad cartoons.
Article Text:
Zaheer Mahmood, a 29-year-old man from Pakistan, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for an attempted murder that took place outside the former offices of Charlie Hebdo in Paris in 2020. Mahmood attacked two employees of the Premieres Lignes news agency with a meat cleaver, injuring them severely immediately following the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. Unbeknownst to him, the Charlie Hebdo offices had relocated due to heightened security concerns after the 2015 gun massacre that left 12 people dead and was claimed by al-Qaeda.
Convicted of attempted murder and terrorist conspiracy, Mahmood's time in France was marked with deception; he initially claimed he arrived in 2019 but was actually an illegal immigrant since 2017. Furthermore, he lied about his age, falsely asserting he was 18. Upon completing his sentence, he will be barred from returning to France.
The court proceedings revealed that Mahmood was encouraged by radical cleric Khadim Hussain Rizvi, who incited followers to retaliate against those they perceive as disrespecting the Prophet. On the day of the attack, witnesses reported a scene of chaos, with colleagues of the victims fleeing from Mahmood while covered in blood.
The two injured parties, known only as Helene, 32, and a 37-year-old man, were present during the sentencing but opted not to comment on Mahmood's actions. The court heard about the significant emotional and physical struggles they have faced during the rehabilitation process following the attack.
In addition to Mahmood's sentence, five other Pakistani individuals, some minors at the time of the attack, received prison sentences ranging from three to 12 years for their respective roles in aiding Mahmood's terrorist conspiracy. The legal proceedings for these younger defendants were handled by a juvenile court in Paris. Mahmood’s defense attorney pointed out that his client struggled with adaptability to life in France, citing a lack of French language skills and social isolation among fellow Pakistani nationals.
Zaheer Mahmood, a 29-year-old man from Pakistan, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for an attempted murder that took place outside the former offices of Charlie Hebdo in Paris in 2020. Mahmood attacked two employees of the Premieres Lignes news agency with a meat cleaver, injuring them severely immediately following the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad. Unbeknownst to him, the Charlie Hebdo offices had relocated due to heightened security concerns after the 2015 gun massacre that left 12 people dead and was claimed by al-Qaeda.
Convicted of attempted murder and terrorist conspiracy, Mahmood's time in France was marked with deception; he initially claimed he arrived in 2019 but was actually an illegal immigrant since 2017. Furthermore, he lied about his age, falsely asserting he was 18. Upon completing his sentence, he will be barred from returning to France.
The court proceedings revealed that Mahmood was encouraged by radical cleric Khadim Hussain Rizvi, who incited followers to retaliate against those they perceive as disrespecting the Prophet. On the day of the attack, witnesses reported a scene of chaos, with colleagues of the victims fleeing from Mahmood while covered in blood.
The two injured parties, known only as Helene, 32, and a 37-year-old man, were present during the sentencing but opted not to comment on Mahmood's actions. The court heard about the significant emotional and physical struggles they have faced during the rehabilitation process following the attack.
In addition to Mahmood's sentence, five other Pakistani individuals, some minors at the time of the attack, received prison sentences ranging from three to 12 years for their respective roles in aiding Mahmood's terrorist conspiracy. The legal proceedings for these younger defendants were handled by a juvenile court in Paris. Mahmood’s defense attorney pointed out that his client struggled with adaptability to life in France, citing a lack of French language skills and social isolation among fellow Pakistani nationals.
