French President Macron decries beheading of teacher in Paris, calls it 'terrorist attack'

Terror has struck France for second time in three weeks. A history teacher was beheaded in a street in a Paris suburb, after which suspected attacker was shot and killed by police.

French President Emmanuel Macron deunced what he called a "terrorist attack”. As quoted by Sputnik, Macron while condemning attack said that compatriot was murdered for teaching children freedom of speech and freedom of expression.

French President said, "Our compatriot was killed for teaching, for teaching children freedom of speech, freedom to believe, or t to believe. Our compatriot was victim of a terrorist attack."

READ | Macron Urges UK To Make More Efforts As Johnson Asks To Get Ready For ' Deal' Brexit

'An attack on France'

France Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer also criticised  incident and called it an 'attack on France'. His tweet in French can be roughly translated to: "Tonight [French] republic was attacked with heius murder of a teacher. Tonight as I think about him and his family, I feel that our unity and solidarity are only answers to cruelty of terrorism. We will fight back." 

READ | French President Emmanuel Macron Accepts New Caledonia Referendum Outcome With 'Humility'

Reportedly, teacher, who was attacked with a knife around 17:00 local time (15:00 GMT), had earlier shown controversial cartoons of Prophet Muhammad to his pupils.

This attack took place near area called Conflans-Sainte-Horine. Currently, anti-terror prosecutors are investing case furr. knife-wielding attacker was shot by police as y tried to arrest him in aftermath of attack. So far, personal details about attacker have been released by police.

Prior to this incident, around three weeks ago, a man had attacked and wounded two people outside French weekly magazine's former office. According to local media, local people allege that attacker is a parent of one of students who victim taught. 

READ | French President Emmanuel Macron Visits Flood-hit Mountains Near French Riveria

Trial over 2015 attack on 'French Weekly' is underway

Currently, a trial is underway in Paris over a 2015 terrorist attack on French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. This magazine was targeted after it published some controversial cartoons. Over dozens of people were killed in this terrorist massacre. After trial for 2015 attack began in Paris earlier on September 3, magazine had reprinted controversial cartoons, saying that this was right time to do so. 

READ | Charlie Hebdo Republishes Old Cartoons On Eve Of 2015 Terrorist Massacre Trial In Paris

(With ANI inputs)