The 42-year-old was shot dead during a gunfight with terrorists outside the offices of a magazine that lampooned Islam. Muslim police officer Ahmed Merabet was killed outside Charlie Hebdo's offices. Video of the attack showed him lying on the ground and begging for mercy as he was shot in the head

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   Muslim police officer Ahmed Merabet was killed outside Charlie Hebdo's offices. Video of the attack showed him lying on the ground and begging for mercy as he was shot in the head

Thousands have paid tribute to a Muslim police officer who was killed as he pleaded for his life in the Paris magazine massacre.

Ahmed Merabet was wounded during a gunfight with terrorists outside the offices of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.
A harrowing video showed the 42-year-old lying on the pavement before rolling over to face his attackers.
He is seen raising his hand, apparently pleading for mercy.
Initial reports said Mr Merabet was heard saying: "Voulez-vous me tuer? (Do you want to kill me?)" with the gunman responding "C'est bon chef (It's OK)."

Paris Gunmen Kill Police Officer

However, subsequent analysis by Sky News reveals that in fact it was the gunman asking the policeman whether he wanted to kill him and Mr Merabet responding "C'est bon".
One of the two men quickens his pace as he reaches the injured officer and, without pausing, shoots him in the head.
Bloggers have picked up on the fact that Mr Merabet was a Muslim in an attempt to defend the community from a backlash to the attack.

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The hashtag #JeSuisAhmed (I am Ahmed) - a play on Je Suis Charlie, the catchphrase spawned in the wake of the attack - has been tweeted more than 53,000 times in his memory.
One blogger, Dyab Abou Jahjah, wrote: "I am not Charlie, I am Ahmed the dead cop. Charlie ridiculed my faith and culture and I died defending his right to do so. #JesuisAhmed."
Another, who uses the Twitter handle Kidrauhl, said: "Who kills in the name of Allah is not Muslim is just a murderer who hides behind religion."

Search For Terror Attack Suspects

Mr Merabet had just been promoted to the Judicial Police, and was described by his union as "someone very discreet and conscientious".
He was one of two police officers killed in the bloodshed.
Police forces across Britain paid tribute to the pair by pausing "in solidarity and sympathy" on Thursday morning.

Attack Ignites Free Speech Debate

Eight journalists, a maintenance worker and a visitor were also killed in what was France's worst terror attack since 1961.

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   Gallery: Vigils Worldwide For Paris Attack Victims