Two suspected radical Islamists have been arrested for stalking the publishing director of Charlie Hebdo magazine.
Laurent “Riss” Sourisseau feared for his life after spotting the potential terrorists around his Paris home.
The disturbing development follows leading cartoonist Renald “Luz” Luzier quitting the controversial publication.
Luz said he was unable to cope with the “grief, pain and anger” which followed 12 people including many of his colleagues being murdered by Islamist gunmen in Paris in January.
They were targeted by Al-Qaeda gunmen after publishing cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.
Now Riss, who escaped the massacre with a bullet in a shoulder, has added to the sense of panic among surviving staff members by speaking out about his latest ordeal.
Witnesses reported seeing two different men on scooters taking pictures of the 48-year-old’s home.
Both were arrested, and were found to have close links to criminal groups, as well as radical Islamist movements.
During lengthy questioning the men denied any wrongdoing, and were released without charge.
Riss told Europe 1 radio: ‘We must be responsible, and rely on the police to protect us.’
Riss , like other Hebdo staff members, is officially under round-the-clock protection but many fear the kind of lapses which contributed to January’s atrocities, when a total of 11 people linked to the magazine died.
Hebdo, which was close to bankruptcy before the attacks, has made the equivalent of more than £25million since, most of it from mass sales and donations.
But the mainly left wing staff believe their management is now solely interested in the profits, while the publication tones down its once biting satire.
Hebdo was accused of hypocrisy last week after it suspended a journalist who received death threats for her articles attacking Islamic extremism.
Zineb El Rhazoui was called to a preliminary dismissal hearing to remind her of her “ obligations” towards the French weekly following “ numerous incidents.”
The French-Moroccan columnist accused her employers of trying to ‘punish her’ for speaking out about the direction of the magazine.
Hebdo has toned down its insults aimed towards Islam since January, concentrating instead on mocking right wing politicians, such as National Front leader Marine Le Pen, and former president Nicolas Sarkozy.
A total of 17 people died in the January terrorist attacks, including Hebdo staff, police and Jewish shoppers.
