France grants citizenship to Algerian hero of Paris attacks

France has granted citizenship to an Algerian hero whose actions during the Paris attacks saved dozens of lives.

1 min read

17 June, 2016

The unidentified Algerian's actions may have saved dozens of lives [Getty]

France's Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve on Wednesday granted French citizenship to an Algerian-born man who helped save dozens of people at the Bataclan concert hall during the November 13 attacks in Paris.

The 35-year-old man, known only as Didi, was raised in France and worked as a security guard at the Bataclan.

He was outside the concert hall when the attack started, but rushed inside to open a back door and help people escape.

His "cool-headedness and courage saved lives," the Interior Ministry said in a statement Wednesday that announced his citizenship.

He requested that his full name and photo not be publicly disclosed.

The attacks carried out by Islamist militants at a stadium, concert hall, cafes and bars left 130 dead.

During the attack on satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo in 2015, French-Algerian policeman Ahmed Merabet was shot dead by the attackers.

Following his death, Merabet's family urged people "not to confuse extremists with Muslims."