A counter-terror operation in Italy and other European countries has resulted in the dismantling of a network of Pakistanis. They were allegedly linked to the man who attacked people near the editors of the French satirical magazine ‘Charlie Hebdo’ in 2020.
The investigation began in Genoa, where one of the suspects lives. Months of investigation revealed that other members of the so-called Gabar group resided elsewhere in Italy, France and Spain. A judge in Genoa signed 14 arrest warrants for crimes related to “international terrorism”. It has not been disclosed how many suspects have been arrested elsewhere.
“The members of the network also have a direct link with Zahheer Hassan Mahmoud,” the police said. On September 25, 2020, that Pakistani (27) stabbed two employees of a French TV company with a knife. The victims, who had no connection to Charlie Hebdo, were seriously injured. The attack happened weeks after the magazine republished controversial cartoons of the prophet Mohammed.
Mahmoud made a confession at the time. He wanted to burn down the former Charlie Hebdo office. He had bottles of flammable liquid with him, but did not know that the editors had moved. Twelve people were killed at the magazine five years earlier when Muslim extremists attacked its editors. The two assailants later died themselves.
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