Stéphane Charbonnier, terrorist hit list, Charlie Hebdo editor

Stéphane Charbonnier, the Charlie Hebdo editor who was killed in the terror attack on the newspaper offices in Paris on Wednesday, has been on a terror hit list for at least two years as a result of the publications that were run which involved satire and the Islamic prophet Mohammed. Most Muslims consider it offensive to make fun of the prophet or to say anything derogatory about Mohammed, and many radicals consider even a depiction of the revered prophet as blasphemy punishable by death. Stéphane Charbonnier published satire pieces in spite of this, a a form of freedom of expression, and Islam was just one of several religions covered. The newspaper also published satirical pieces about government officials as well, and Charbonnier never let fear hamper his actions or his views.

Two years ago Stéphane Charbonnier was put on a terrorist hit list by a Yemen terror association linked to Al-Qaida. This was after the Charlie Hebdo editor had published cartoons about Mohammed. The website run by the terrorist organization listed Stéphane Charbonnier with the caption WANTED Dead or Alive for Crimes against Islam two years ago, putting a price on the editor’s head but not forcing him to hide in fear. Unfortunately a young mother who worked at the secure newspaper office was returning from a daycare where she picked up her young daughter, and hooded gunmen threatened her and her child until she entered the security code for the office so that the gunmen could enter. Once the attackers were in the office they openly fired at everyone, killing 12 people and wounding others.