France grants citizenship to Algerian hero of Paris attacks
France grants citizenship to Algerian hero of Paris attacks
France has granted citizenship to an Algerian hero whose actions during the Paris attacks saved dozens of lives.
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The unidentified Algerian's actions may have saved dozens of lives [Getty]
France's Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve on Wednesday granted French citizenship to an Algerian-born man who helped save dozens of people at the Bataclan concert hall during the November 13 attacks in Paris.
The 35-year-old man, known only as Didi, was raised in France and worked as a security guard at the Bataclan.
He was outside the concert hall when the attack started, but rushed inside to open a back door and help people escape.
His "cool-headedness and courage saved lives," the Interior Ministry said in a statement Wednesday that announced his citizenship.
He requested that his full name and photo not be publicly disclosed.
The attacks carried out by Islamist militants at a stadium, concert hall, cafes and bars left 130 dead.
During the attack on satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in 2015, French-Algerian policeman Ahmed Merabet was shot dead by the attackers.
Following his death, Merabet's family urged people "not to confuse extremists with Muslims."
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