Support The Moscow Times!

Frenchman Jailed for Praising AK-47 a Day After Charlie Hebdo Attack

A policeman stands guard outside the French satirical weekly "Charlie Hebdo" in Paris.

A Frenchman who shouted "Glory to the Kalash!" in praise of the Russian rifle used in the massacre at Charlie Hebdo a day earlier has been given a six month jail sentence, a news report said.

The 20-year-old man, who was not identified by name, was held by police in the north-central city of Orléans after yelling "Vive la kalash!" in reference to the Russian-made AK-47 rifles, France's BFM.tv reported Sunday.

The man, who later said he was intoxicated at the time, was also wearing a jumper featuring an image of a Kalashnikov rifle, and was carrying a switchblade, the report added.

The incident took place on Thursday, a day after 12 people were killed by Islamic extremists who burst into the offices of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and opened fire with Kalashnikov rifles.

The total death toll following three days of terror attacks on the French capital was 17.

The man in Orléans was given a six-month prison term on charges of public disturbance and ordered to pay 400 euros ($470) to each of the four policemen as compensation.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more