Violent in Niger over charlie hobo cartoon drawing of mohammed

A violent mob set light to at least eight churches in
Niger as protests against Charlie Hebdo magazine left
eight people dead.
The mob rampaged through Niger's capital Niamey as
anger mounted in several Muslim countries over the
satirical magazine's depiction of the prophet
Mohammed.
Three people were killed on Saturday, with two
charred bodies found inside a a burned church on the
outskirts of the capital.
The body of a woman was found inside a bar. She was
believed to have asphyxiated from tear gas and smoke
Yesterday, a rally against Charlie Hebdo in the
country's second city of Zinder left five dead and 45
injured.
Around 1,000 youths wielding iron bars, clubs and
axes stormed through Niamey on Saturday, hurling
rocks at police who responded with tear gas.
The French embassy in Niamey urged its citizens to
stay at home.
"Be very cautious, avoid going out," the embassy said
on its website as rioters also ransacked several
French-linked businesses, including telephone kiosks
run by Orange.
Some 20 Muslim scholars called for calm in the Niger
capital.
"Don't forget that Islam is against violence. I urge men
and women, boys and girls to calm down," one of the
Muslim elders, preacher Yaou Sonna, told state
television in Niamey.
Video: Charlie Hebdo: Angry Protests
In his first reaction to the violence, which also
erupted in Pakistan on Friday, President Francois
Hollande emphasised that "freedom of expression"
was "non-negotiable."
Meanwhile, one of the brothers who launched the
attack against the Charlie Hebdo magazine has been
buried in an unmarked grave.
Said Kouachi was buried in secret on Friday in the
eastern city of Reims.
The mayor of Reims had earlier voiced his opposition
to the burial saying that the grave could become a
shrine.
With France still reeling from last week's deadly
attacks that killed 17 people, countries across Europe
have stepped up security.
Courtesy: sky news
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