“France is in shock today from a terrorist attack, because that's what it is about”. These are the words of the President of the French Republic, François Hollande, after the massacre in the Paris editorial office of the satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo, which was hit by an Islamic attack which caused the death of 12 people, including 10 members of the editorial staff, including the director Stephane Charbonnier and the two historic cartoonists Cabu and Wolinski, and 2 policemen.
According to initial reports, two hooded men dressed in black entered the headquarters of the French satirical newspaper, known for its ironic and provocative style, and opened fire with Kalashnikovs. The bombers gthey laughed "Allah u Akbar", according to the images shot by journalist Martin Boudot. Another witness also said he heard the two shout "we will avenge the prophet": a reference to the protests of part of the Islamic world after the publication of satirical cartoons about Muhammad on various occasions.
"They spoke perfect French and claimed to be from al Qaeda." This is the testimony of the cartoonist Coco, present at the attack against Charlie Hebdo, on the L'Humanitè website.
On the fact that it is a terrorist attack Hollande reiterated that “there is no doubt, and several attacks have already been foiled in recent weeks”. The president has raised the anti-terrorism alarm to the highest level and called an emergency summit for this afternoon at the Elysée Palace, from which he will address the nation live at 20 pm.
