Porte de Vincennes siege

Porte de Vincennes hostage crisis
Part of the January 2015 Île-de-France attacks

Flowers and a French Flag outside the Hypercacher Jewish Market
Location Hypercacher kosher superette in Porte de Vincennes, Paris, France
Coordinates 48°50′49″N 2°24′55″E / 48.846963°N 2.415386°E / 48.846963; 2.415386Coordinates: 48°50′49″N 2°24′55″E / 48.846963°N 2.415386°E / 48.846963; 2.415386
Date 9 January 2015 (2015-01-09) 13:00 CET –9 January 2015 (2015-01-09) 17:30 CET (UTC+01:00)
Target Jewish superette patrons
Attack type
 Hostage taking, terrorism
Weapons
Deaths 5 (including the perpetrator)
Non-fatal injuries
 9
Perpetrators Islamic State
Assailant Amedy Coulibaly[3]

The Porte de Vincennes siege occurred at a Hypercacher kosher superette in Porte de Vincennes (20th arrondissement of Paris) in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo shooting two days earlier, and concurrently with the Dammartin-en-Goële hostage crisis in which the two Charlie Hebdo gunmen were cornered.

Amedy Coulibaly had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, and was a close friend of Saïd Kouachi and Chérif Kouachi (whom he had met in jail in 2005), the gunmen in the Charlie Hebdo attack. Armed with a submachine gun, an assault rifle, and two Tokarev pistols, he entered and attacked the people in the kosher food superette. Coulibaly murdered four Jewish hostages, and held fifteen other hostages during a siege in which he demanded that the Kouachi brothers not be harmed. The police ended the siege by storming the store and killing Coulibaly.

Hostage-taking

On 9 January 2015, Amedy Coulibaly, who had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant,[4] attacked the people in a Hypercacher kosher food superette at Porte de Vincennes in east Paris. He killed four people, all of whom were Jews,[5][6][7] and took several hostages.[8][9] Some media outlets claimed he had a female accomplice, speculated initially to be his common-law wife, Hayat Boumeddiene.[10]

Coulibaly was later confirmed to be the gunman in a shooting in Montrouge the previous day. In that shooting he killed a Municipal Police officer, Clarissa Jean-Philippe.[3]

A witness stated, "People were buying things when a man came in with a rifle and started shooting in all directions. I ran out. The shooting continued for several seconds."[11] Coulibaly recorded seven minutes of his attack using a GoPro camera attached his torso, and emailed a copy of the footage using a computer at the supermarket. The video included the deaths of three of the victims.[12][13]

In an interview with BFMTV during an ensuing standoff, Coulibaly stated that he targeted the Jews at the Kosher grocery to defend Muslims, notably Palestinians.[14][15] Thanks to a mobile phone line that was unintentionally left open, Coulibaly's dialogue with his hostages was recorded and transcribed by RTL (French radio).[16] Coulibaly said his action was revenge for the Syrian government action and against the Western coalition actions in Mali, Iraq, and Afghanistan.[16]

Yohan Cohen, aged 22, and Yoav Hattab, aged 21, were hailed as heroes by their fellow hostages, as they were murdered by Coulibaly while seeking to overcome him and free the other hostages in the store. Coulibaly reportedly abandoned one of his weapons on a counter-top in the store as he entered, after it had jammed. After Coulibaly proceeded to threaten a customer with a small child at the beginning of the attack, Cohen, an employee, attempted to grab the abandoned weapon with the help of Hattab, and take down Coulibaly. When the malfunctioning gun jammed on Cohen at that moment, Coulibaly shot Cohen in the head, and then proceeded to shoot Hattab. The remaining victims of the attack, François-Michel Saada and Philippe Braham, reportedly immediately sought to resist Coulibaly as well.[17][18][19]

Lassana Bathily, a Malian-born and Muslim[20][21] shop assistant to whom Yohan Cohen had referred as a "friend" in his personal Facebook page, has also been hailed as a hero in the hostage crisis for hiding people from the gunman and assisting police after his escape.[22] During the hostage crisis, Bathily helped hide hostages in a cold storage container in the basement.[20] Bathily then tried to call the police, but the line was busy, so he called his friend, a Frenchman named Dennis Mercier, and Mercier alerted the authorities about the hostage situation by flagging down a policeman.[23] When Coulibaly opened fire in the store, killing Cohen, Hattab, Saada, and Braham and taking hostages, Bathily led fifteen people into the downstairs cold storage room for safety. Bathily was then able to escape alone by slipping out of the store using elevator equipment.[24] Upon leaving the store, he was immediately handcuffed and arrested by police who suspected him of playing a role in the attack. He was released after an hour and a half. Bathily provided the officers with a key to open the market’s metal blinds[25]

Coulibaly was reportedly in contact with the Kouachi brothers as the sieges of both and the brothers progressed simultaneously, and told police that he would kill hostages if the brothers were harmed.[26] Nearby schools were placed under lock-down, and local Jewish businesses were shut down as a precaution.[27]

Police intervention

All remained relatively quiet until suddenly four very loud stun grenades went off in four places at around 17:09 local time. One of the explosions knocked a letter off of the Hypercacher logo sign. Heavily armed police marched towards the scene whilst backup came to the scene. They surrounded the shop, with Coulibaly firing shots in the air. Someone had opened the shutters and automatic sliding doors to the supermarket. This led to police storming the grocery store, shooting and killing Coulibaly, who fired shots back at police and then charged at the entrance to attack police. As he jumped, police opened fire and killed him. At least four explosions were heard, all of which stun grenades that police threw. Hostages were seen running out, one of them had a child in his arms, as ambulances swarmed the area.[28][29]

Fifteen hostages were rescued.[30] Several people, including two police officers, were wounded during the incident.[31] French President François Hollande and a prosecutor later confirmed that four people had been killed by Coulibaly as he took the hostages before the siege began.[32][33] Explosives tied to a detonator were later found around the store.[29] Bathily provided information about the store to assist police.[34]

Victims

Funeral in Jerusalem, Israel, of the four Jewish murder victims
Marches in memory of the siege on 11 January 2015

The victims were posthumously awarded the Legion of Honour by the French Republic.[36] At the instigation of the Israeli government, and after some pressure on the families,[37] it was decided that they should be buried at the Givat Shaul cemetery in Jerusalem, Israel, on 13 January 2015.[38] The funeral was attended by thousands, some holding signs reading "Je suis juif" or "Je suis Israelien", with pictures of the four deceased.[39] During the ceremony, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, and French Ecology Minister Ségolène Royal gave brief speeches.[38][39] Royal said, "Anti-Semitism has no place in France. I want to assure you of the unfailing determination of the French government to fight against all forms and acts of anti-Semitism."[36][38][39][40]

Reactions

Wreaths laid by public figures such as John Kerry outside the supermarket.
Lassana Bathily being honored by John Kerry.

President François Hollande described the event as a "terrifying act of anti-Semitism."[41] Israel's Foreign Affairs Minister Avigdor Lieberman issued a statement, saying the attacks "[were] not just against the French people or French Jews, they're against the entire free world. This is another attempt by the dark forces of radical Islam to unleash horror and terror on the West. The entire international community must stand strong and determined in the face of this terror."[42]

US Secretary of State John Kerry and French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius laying wreaths outside the scene

Hamas officially condemned the attack on Charlie Hebdo but was silent on the attack at the Hypercacher.[43] Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas walked in the Republican marches on 11 January 2015.

The Facebook page of "Al-Rasalah publication" praised the attackers. According to Arutz Sheva, the publication is linked to Hamas.[44]

Lassana Bathily, a Muslim store worker who moved from Mali to France in 2006, was hailed as a "hero", a title he himself rejected.[45][46] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his appreciation for Bathily's actions.[45] Bathily was awarded French citizenship for his life-saving actions. On 20 January, 2015, at a special ceremony in Paris, he was given his passport by the French prime minister, Manuel Valls, in person; the interior minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, was also present.[45][46][47][48] A petition was also started to grant him the Legion of Honour.[45] On 24 March 2015, at a ceremony in Los Angeles, he was presented with the Medal of Valor of the Simon Wiesenthal Center.[49]

The manager of the kosher supermarket, who was shot in the arm during the attack, announced he would move to Israel.[50]

French comedian and political activist Dieudonné M'bala M'bala likened himself to Amedy Coulibaly on Facebook, commenting that "I feel like Charlie Coulibaly."[51][52] As a result, he was detained and questioned by the French police.[52] Moreover, Paris prosecutor started a legal investigation due to his alleged "defense of terrorism".[52][53][54][55] The French Prime Minister, Manuel Valls, stated, "Racism, antisemitism and the defense of terrorism are crimes," adding, "One should not confuse freedom of opinion and antisemitism."[56] Moreover, Bernard Cazeneuve, the Interior Minister, called Dieudonné's remark "contemptible."[54] The Conseil Représentatif des Institutions juives de France (CRIF) also denounced Dieudonné's comment, and called for French theatres to block him from performing.[55]

CNN reported that United States President Barack Obama stated deep concern about "a bunch of violent, vicious zealots who behead people or randomly shoot a bunch of folks in a deli in Paris."[57][58]

Aftermath

French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve attended the reopening of the market on 15 March.[59]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Charlie Hebdo shooting: Amedy Coulibaly linked to attack on jogger after magazine massacre". ABC News. 11 January 2015. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
  2. ↑ Alexander, Harriet. "How did the Paris terrorists get hold of their weapons?". Telegraph. Retrieved 2016-03-13.
  3. 1 2 "Le suspect de Montrouge, Amedy Coulibaly, était bien le tireur de Vincennes". Lemonde.fr. 2016-02-25. Retrieved 2016-03-13.
  4. ↑ Jane Onyanga-Omara, USA TODAY (11 January 2015). "Video shows Paris gunman pledging allegiance to Islamic State". USATODAY.
  5. ↑ "alert bibi coming". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  6. ↑ "Four victims of terror attack on kosher supermarket named". ynet.
  7. ↑ "Paris shootings: Hostages killed at Jewish supermarket named". International Business Times UK.
  8. ↑ "Charlie Hebdo attack: Manhunt – live reporting". BBC News. 9 January 2015.
  9. ↑ "Paris shooting updates / Charlie Hebdo attackers take hostage after car chase". Haaretz. 9 January 2015.
  10. ↑ "DIRECT – Porte de Vincennes: plusieurs otages, au moins deux morts". MidiLibre.fr.
  11. ↑ Lichfield, John (9 January 2015). "Paris attacks: Gunman and four hostages killed at kosher grocery shop as police launch assault". The Independent (London). Retrieved 9 January 2015.
  12. ↑ "Paris Terrorist Recorded Video of Massacre at Kosher Market on GoPro Camera: Report". KTLA.
  13. ↑ Paul Cruickshank, Jim Sciutto and Steve Almasy, CNN (31 January 2015). "Official: Gunman recorded terror attack on Parisian kosher grocery - CNN.com". CNN.
  14. ↑ Matthew Weaver. "Charlie Hebdo attack: French officials establish link between gunmen in both attacks — live". the Guardian. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  15. ↑ "French forces kill newspaper attack suspects, hostages die in second siege". Reuters. 9 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  16. 1 2 "DOCUMENT RTL – Quand Coulibaly essaye de se justifier devant ses otages à l'épicerie casher". RTL.fr.
  17. ↑ Mullin, Gemma; Charlton, Corey; Allen, Peter; Wyke, Tom; Akbar, Jay; Robinson, Julian; Cook, Fidelma; Beckford, Martin (9 January 2015). "The chief rabbi's son, shop worker saving for his marriage, teacher and pensioner: Faces of kosher deli hostages killed by Jew-hating jihadist". Daily Mail (London). Retrieved 9 January 2015.
  18. ↑ "Kosher supermarket attack victims to be laid to rest in Israel". ynet news. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  19. ↑ "Porte de Vincennes: Yohan Cohen, "mort en voulant sauver un enfant"". Yahoo France. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  20. 1 2 "This Muslim Clerk At The Paris Kosher Store Risked His Life To Save Jewish Shoppers". The Daily Caller. 10 January 2015.
  21. ↑ "Paris attacks: Muslim store worker Lassana Bathily hailed as hero". CBC News. 11 January 2015.
  22. ↑ Lassana Bathily: the Paris kosher supermarket hero The Guardian, 11 January 2015
  23. ↑ Suissa, David. "Lassana Bathily: The Muslim who saved French Jews." Jewish Journal. 9 April 2015. 9 April 2015.
  24. ↑ "Paris terror sieges: hostages survived by hiding". Sydney Morning Herald. 10 January 2015.
  25. ↑ "Muslim Lassana Bathily Hailed As Kosher Market Hero, Saved Several Customers From Attack". The Inquisitr. 12 January 2015.
  26. ↑ "Paris shooting: Armed man takes hostages in Paris kosher store". The Sydney Morning Herald. 9 January 2015. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
  27. ↑ "Hostages Seized at Kosher Supermarket in Porte de Vincennes: Paris Cops". NBC News. 9 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  28. ↑ Prince, Sam (2015-01-09). "Amedy Coulibaly Dead: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy.com. Retrieved 2016-03-13.
  29. 1 2 ABC News. "Paris Terror Attack: 4 Hostages Killed Before Police Staged Final Assault". ABC News. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  30. ↑ "Paris hostage situation ends with gunman dead". CBS News. 9 January 2015. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
  31. ↑ "Who Is Amedy Coulibaly? Paris Kosher Deli Gunman Once Worked For Coca-Cola, Was Close With Kouachi Brothers". International Business Times. 9 January 2015.
  32. ↑ "Quatre otages tués à Paris dans une supérette casher". Libération. 9 January 2015.
  33. ↑ Matthew Weaver. "Charlie Hebdo attack: French officials establish link between gunmen in both attacks — live". the Guardian. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  34. ↑ Yamiche Alcindor; Jabeen Bhatti (2015-01-10). "Supermarket employee hid customers during Paris attack". Usatoday.com. Retrieved 2016-03-13.
  35. ↑ Qui étaient les quatre juifs tués à la porte de Vincennes?, Le Journal du Dimanche, 11 January 2015
  36. 1 2 Jérusalem : pour Royal, "l'antisémitisme n'a pas sa place en France", Europe 1, 13 January 2015
  37. ↑ "Israel pressured Paris attack victim's family to bury him in Israel". Haaretz.com. 14 January 2015.
  38. 1 2 3 Jonathan Beck, ‘We wanted you to come here alive,’ laments president as four Paris victims buried, The Times of Israel, 13 January 2015
  39. 1 2 3 Thousands attend funeral in Jerusalem for victims of Paris supermarket attack, World Jewish Congress, 13 January 2015
  40. ↑ No place in France for anti-Semistism, French minister Segolene Royal tells mourners, The Economic Times, 13 January 2015
  41. ↑ Alderman, Liz (10 January 2015). "After Terrorist Attacks, Many French Muslims Wonder: What Now?". The New York Times.
  42. ↑ "Gunman 'Neutralized' At Kosher Supermarket Siege". Newsweek. 9 January 2015. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
  43. ↑ Dearden, Lizzie (10 January 2015). "Paris attacks: Hamas condemns Charlie Hebdo massacre after Netanyahu makes comparison to Gaza rockets". The Independent (London).
  44. ↑ "Hamas-Linked Publication Praises 'Heroic' Paris Terrorists". Israel National News. 10 January 2015.
  45. 1 2 3 4 Paris kosher supermarket hero becoming French citizen, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, 15 January 2015
  46. 1 2 The Associated Press, Muslim who saved lives during attack on Paris kosher grocery awarded French citizenship, Haaretz, 20 January 2015
  47. ↑ Noah Rayman (15 January 2015). "Lassana Bathily to Get French Citizenship for Aiding Jewish Hostages". TIME.com.
  48. ↑ "Demande de naturalisation de Lassana Bathily". Ministère de l'Intérieur (French government).
  49. ↑ "Lassana Bathily honored in Los Angeles". Consulate-General of France in Los Angeles. 25 March 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  50. ↑ Manager of attacked Paris kosher market says he will leave for Israel, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, 12 January 2015
  51. ↑ Adam Chandler (12 January 2015). "France's First Free-Speech Challenge After Charlie Hebdo". The Atlantic.
  52. 1 2 3 Dozens detained as France cracks down on hate speech and incitement, World Jewish Congress, 14 January 2015
  53. ↑ Associated Press, French comedian Dieudonné faces inquiry over ‘Charlie Coulibaly’ remark, The Guardian, 13 January 2015
  54. 1 2 Dieudonné under investigation for Paris shootings remark, France 24, 12 January 2015
  55. 1 2 Dieudonné : " Je me sens Charlie Coulibaly", CRIF, 13 January 2015
  56. ↑ "«Le racisme, l'antisémitisme et l'apologie du terrorisme sont des délits» déclare Manuel Valls | Crif - Conseil Représentatif des Institutions Juives de France". Crif.org (in French). Retrieved 2016-03-13.
  57. ↑ "Obama 'hopeful' about partisanship, race relations". CNN.
  58. ↑ "Part two: Foreign policy – Barack Obama: The Vox Conversation". Vox. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
  59. ↑ "Paris kosher supermarket reopens after deadly hostage crisis". France 24. 15 March 2015.

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