People known for hate speech targetedFrench police on Monday swooped on radical Islamist groups three days after the beheading of a teacher, who had shown his pupils satirical cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said the swoop on Islamist networks was designed to send a message that “enemies of the Republic” would not enjoy “a minute’s respite”. Sources close to the operation said that individuals targeted in the operation were known to the police for radical preachings or hate speech. Mr. Darmanin said the government would also tighten the noose on NGOs with links to Islamist networks, including the high-profile Anti-Islamophobia Collective. The attack has drawn parallels with the 2015 massacre at Charlie Hebdo magazine, where 12 people were killed for publishing images of the Prophet.

Source: The Hindu October 19, 2020 17:26 UTC