Afghan Taliban hail deadly Paris attacks, say Charlie Hedbo cartoons ‘repugnant’
Militants release statement lauding Charlie Hebdo attackers for 'bringing the perpetrators of the obscene act to justice' and denouncing magazine's new cartoons of Prophet
The Afghan Taliban on Thursday condemned the publication in France of further cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed, and lauded last week’s deadly Islamist attack on the Charlie Hebdo magazine office in Paris.
An English language statement from the group said they “strongly condemn this repugnant and inhumane action and consider its perpetrators, those who allowed it and its supporters [to be] the enemies of humanity”.
It added the gunmen who killed the magazine’s staff on January 7 were “bringing the perpetrators of the obscene act to justice”.
On Wednesday, French President Francois Hollande declared Charlie Hebdo was “alive and will live on” after its new edition sold out in record time, as al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for the attack.
In the magazine’s latest edition, the prophet was depicted with a tear in his eye, under the headline “All is forgiven”, and holding a sign reading “Je suis Charlie” (I am Charlie).