“Adieu Samuel”: France says goodbye to brutally murdered teacher

“Adieu Samuel”: France says goodbye to brutally murdered teacher

French President Emmanuel Macron called for the defense of freedom in an emotional commemoration ceremony for the brutally murdered teacher Samuel Paty. “We will not go without cartoons (and) drawings,” Macron said Wednesday night in the courtyard of the Sorbonne University in Paris with a view of the Muhammad cartoons, which had sparked controversy around the world. Paty, 47, was the victim of a deadly conspiracy, stupidity, lies and hatred of others, Macron said. “We move on, (Lord) teacher!”

According to investigators, Paty had been attacked and killed by an 18-year-old on Friday. The body of the master was found decapitated. The attacker with Chechen roots was shot dead by police officers.

Macron condemned the “cowards” who gave the name of Paty to the barbarians. The head of state said goodbye to the educator in a very personal way. «We all have anchored in our hearts (…) the memory of a teacher who changed our path in life. You know, this teacher who taught us to read, count, and trust ourselves. This teacher, who not only taught us, but also opened a path, a book, a look, a moment of reflection, Samuel Paty was one of those teachers.

The crime in a Paris suburb had caused horror throughout the country. Over the weekend, tens of thousands took to the streets to show their solidarity. Investigators believe Paty was killed for showing cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad in class. Macron had spoken of an Islamist terrorist act immediately after the crime.

The coffin was carried with the song “One” by U2 in the courtyard of the traditional Sorbonne. Numerous dignitaries attended, including Macron’s predecessor, François Hollande. A friend of Paty’s also had something to say, saying, “Goodbye Samuel.”

Macron had already prepared his compatriots for a long struggle against radical Islamism. A “battle” must be fought in the areas of security, education and culture, and it “will last,” government spokesman Gabriel Attal quoted the head of state after a cabinet meeting.

Counterterrorism prosecutor Jean-François Ricard said 16 people were arrested after the crime. Nine of them were released. There are serious charges against the remaining seven, including complicity in a murder with a terrorist background. Now the investigating judges have to decide how to proceed. So far, no formal investigations have been opened against the suspects.

Among the suspects is the father of a schoolgirl who mobilized against the teacher online. Several messages had been exchanged between the father and the attacker prior to the crime, Ricard said. There is a direct connection between the Father’s messages and action.

There are also complaints against two minors aged 14 and 15. “The investigation found that the perpetrator had the teacher’s last name, the school’s name and its location, but could not identify the teacher,” Ricard said. The minors then would have identified the teacher Paty for money.

The French central government, meanwhile, ordered the dissolution of the pro-Palestinian collective Cheikh Yassine. Other groups will follow in the coming weeks, the government spokesman said. Cheikh Yassine was directly linked to Paty’s assassination attempt, Macron had said. The government spokesman confirmed that a mosque in the Paris suburb of Pantin should be closed this week. Attal also spoke of the fact that radicalized people without a residence permit should be expelled.

France has been rocked by Islamist attacks for years: more than 250 people died. (sda / dpa)