Traders bid to aid terror-hit printer

TRADERS and businesses have stepped in to help the printworks damaged when the Charlie Hebdo killers hid there and took the owner hostage.

The Imprimerie CTD site at Dammartin-en-Goëlle in Seine-et-Marne was badly damaged when the gendarmerie’s GIGN attack squad moved in against the terrorist Kouachi brothers, who killed 12 people in the satirical newspaper’s Paris offices.

Now as an act of solidarity, fellow traders and businesses in the area have launched an internet bid to raise funds to get the printworks and four staff back working.

As of this morning, it had already raised nearly €75,000 from 1,900 contributors – with some offering to help with the rebuilding works – and the website www.leetchi.com had waived its usual costs.

Local business group Association des Commerçants de Dammartin-en-Goële started the funding scheme and group president François Alves told journalists that six printing machines had been damaged in the attack and that each cost between €80,000 and €100,000.

Although the company was insured and would receive compensation for the damage this would take months to come through and months for the repairs and in the meantime it was feared the business could collapse.

Company boss Michel Catalano was taken hostage by the two killers on January 9 and deputy mayor Jean-Pierre Mateo told journalists he had been badly affected by his experience. He added: “We need to help the workers get back to work as quickly as possible.”

Mr Alves hoped that they would be able to raise €100,000 through the Leetchi donations and this would let the business move into temporary premises and get back to work. Donations can be made on the www.leetchi.com website.

Mr Catalono said on a message on the company's website that the many messages of support were most welcome and were helping to rebuild their morale.