French newspaper offices evacuated after threats

PARIS -- A French newspaper that published caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad evacuated its offices after receiving a threatening call.

Police say the caller threatened to blow himself up at the offices of France Soir in a Paris suburb (Aubervilliers).

Police sent a team with sniffer dogs.

About 60 employees evacuated the building but were able to go back in two hours later.

Anti-terrorism police are also investigating.

France Soir was the first French newspaper to publish the contested cartoons last week.

The cartoons first appeared in a Danish newspaper.

The caricatures include a drawing of Muhammad wearing a turban shaped as a bomb.

Muslims have been outraged because Islamic tradition bars any depiction of the prophet to prevent idolatry.

 
 
Date Posted: 6 February 2006 Last Modified: 6 February 2006