Dozens of suspected Islamist extremists are being investigated in connection with the beheading of a teacher in Northern Paris. France's Interior Minister said the father of a pupil had issued a fatwa against the victim.
French police have launched operations against "dozens of individuals" suspected of having links to radical Islam following the decapitation of a French schoolteacher, Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said Monday.
History teacher Samuel Paty was beheaded on Friday outside his school on Paris' Northern outskirts after showing his pupils cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad. His attacker, an 18-year-old Chechen, was shot dead by police shortly after the attack.
The gruesome killing shocked France and prompted weekend protests across the country in support of freedom of speech.
Darmanin told Europe 1 radio that about 80 police investigations were underway into online hate messages that glorified the attack.
"There have already been arrests since Sunday. Since this morning, police operations have taken place and more will take place, concerning dozens of individuals," he said.
Authorities also targeting suspect organizations
Darmanin said that more than 50 associations were being probed as part of the ongoing operations.
He said he was also looking into whether certain groups in the French Muslim community that had been accused of promoting violence should be dissolved. He named the nongovernmental organization BarakaCity and the Collective Against Islamophobia in France (CCIF) as two possible candidates.
A police source cited by the Reuters news agency on Sunday said that France was preparing to expel 231 foreigners on a government watch-list for suspected extremist religious beliefs. However, it was not clear whether that development was linked to Monday's operations.
Freedom of speech
Friday's attack came after Paty showed his students cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad as part of a class discussion about freedom of speech. The 47-year-old teacher had been the target of online threats as a result of his lesson plan.
Darmanin said the father of a schoolgirl and a known Islamist had "apparently launched a fatwa against the teacher." The two men are among 11 people currently in police custody.
The 18-year-old attacker was a Russian-born refugee living northwest of Paris. He was not previously known to police.
Latest Stories
-
Global Plastics Treaty negotiations begin in Ottawa as countries converge on phasing out problematic plastic uses
12 seconds -
Support energy alternatives adoption to sustain businesses – GUTA tells government
5 mins -
11th DRIF opens in Accra with a call on governments to focus on digital inclusion
11 mins -
Stakeholders outline plans at RE4C Coalition’s General Assembly in Accra
18 mins -
Women Need ‘shock observers’ for active political participation – Ex-Bauchi Assembly Member
23 mins -
2024 polls: Stop fighting over positions in Mahama’s next government – Asiedu Nketiah
28 mins -
Although people may not always listen to the lyrics, there’s still a market for rap in Ghana – E.L.
33 mins -
Passengers appeal to transport operators to officially announce new fares
44 mins -
Damongo: About 400 NPP Members resign over Minister’s alleged meddling in chieftaincy affairs
1 hour -
Next NDC government will pay special attention to women – Naana Opoku-Agyemang
1 hour -
Amerado is singing and it’s good he’s doing that – Lyrical Joe
1 hour -
NDC government will establish a Women’s Development Bank – Prof Opoku-Agyemang
2 hours -
My selection is an affirmation of your belief in women – Naana Opoku tells Mahama
2 hours -
Our ticket will be a pair of experienced individuals – Mahama assures
2 hours -
NDC officially outdoors Prof Naana Opoku-Agyemang as running mate
2 hours