France is marking the anniversary of the Charlie Hebdo attack on 7 January 2015 that resulted in the death of 12 people.
French President Francois Hollande begun the commemorations by unveiling a plaque at the former offices.
The attack on Charlie Hebdo last year was followed by an attack on Kosher Supermarket Hypercacher and a hostage taking on January 8 and 9, resulting in a further eight deaths. In a series of commemorations marking the anniversaries, Hollande will also be unveiling a plague at the supermarket and at the Place de la Republique, which has become an unofficial place of public mourning.
The commemorations will culminate in a public ceremony where a 10-metre-high memorial oak tree will be planted in the Place de la Republique.
The attacks marked the beginning of a year of tragedy in France with terrorist attacks by religious extremists taking the lives of 152 people.
Charlie Hebdo is a provocative satirical weekly newspaper. The attack sparked a worldwide movement in support of freedom of speech. Many people across social media and at rallies adopted the phrase “Je Suis Charlie” (I am Charlie) as a moniker of support.
