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Paris siege hero gets citizenship
(February 20, 2015)![](http://thephoenixnewspaper.com/images/Articles/jan15/Lassana_Bathily.jpg)
The supermarket worker who hid terrified shoppers away during the siege in Paris has been recognised for his bravery and awarded citizenship by the French government.
Mali-born Lassana Bathily was praised for his "courage and heroism" by Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve during a ceremony in the presence of Prime Minister Manuel Valls.
The 24-year-old was in the store's underground stockroom when gunmen burst in, in Porte de Vincennes, Paris. He quickly guided terrified customers to safety in a supermarket chiller.
Using a goods lift he escaped and was able to give the police valuable information about what was happening inside and where the hostages were hiding.
Bathily, a Muslim, gained word wide praise for his bravery, by Cazeneuve, who said: “Act of humanity has become a symbol of an Islam of peace and tolerance.”
Mr Bathily, who has lived in France since 2006, said: “When I turned off the cold, I put them [hostages] in, I closed the door, I told them to stay calm. I turned off the light and turned off the freezer as we heard the gunfire.”
Of his recognition, he said: “I’m very proud and deeply touched. People are all equal to me and skin color isn't a matter. France is the country of human rights.”