Paris Attack Troubling, Deserves US Authorities' Attention: Congressman

WASHINGTON, January 7 (Sputnik) — The Wednesday terrorist attack in Paris is "deeply troubling", and should be watched closely by US authorities, even though the conditions surrounding the attack are not comparable to those in the United States, Massachusetts Congressman Stephen Lynch told Sputnik on Wednesday.

"It's deeply troubling," Lynch, who co-chairs the House Subcommittee on Terrorist Financing, said of the attacks on the French satirical Charlie Hebdo magazine. "France in general has a very large Arab population…and they have had problems in the past because of some of the governmental policies. I'm not sure that exact situation is applicable in the United States, but I think it bears watching."

The January 7 incident is the second terrorist attack against the magazine, which is known for publishing controversial cartoons and writings making fun of Arabs and Muslims.

"They had been under enhanced security measures since [2011], so it's deeply troubling that they were attacked again," Lynch said. He commented that the attack "goes right at the issue of free speech and freedom of the press."

The attacks were allegedly tied to the publication's recent articles and cartoons depicting Islamic State leader Abu Bakr Baghdadi. The suspected gunmen remain on the loose, as French police union officials have warned that another attack remains a possibility.

Twelve individuals were killed in the Wednesday attack in Paris when three gunmen entered the Charlie Hebdo building and opened fire. French President Francois Hollande denounced the attacks as cowardly and said French authorities would track down the perpetrators of the attack.