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Hollande unveils memorial plaque for slain policewoman on Charlie Hebdo anniversary

French president François Hollande unveiled a plaque on Saturday morning to honour the memory of Clarissa Jean-Philippe, the policewoman killed last year during January's jihadist attacks, as the country prepares for a weekend of anniversary commemorations.

Francois Hollande in front of the coffin of Clarissa Jean-Philippe during a tribute at the Paris Prefecture January 13, 2015,
Francois Hollande in front of the coffin of Clarissa Jean-Philippe during a tribute at the Paris Prefecture January 13, 2015, REUTERS/Francois Mori
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A plaque bearing the name of Clarissa Jean-Philippe was unveiled on Saturday morning by French president François Hollande in the town of Montrouge, south of Paris.

The 26-year old municipal police officer from Martinique, was shot dead by French Islamist gunman Amedy Coulibaly on January 8, last year; the day after satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo was attacked.

On the white stone, gatherers could read "Clarissa Jean-Philippe, victim of terrorism, killed in the line of duty."

Hollande, accompanied by four ministers, paid his respects to the young victim, and spent more than half an hour talking with her family.

It should be noted that in these past few days, several members of the deceased's family have hit out at the President for not according enough attention and compassion to Clarissa.

The victim's mother went so far as to say, her daughter had been "forgotten" by the government, French daily Le Monde reported.

Last year, Clarissa Jean-Philippe, was called out to inspect a road accident near a Jewish school, at a time of heightened tension.

The day before, twelve people had been killed at the offices of Charlie Hebdo magazine, and the nation was still very much on edge. She was shot shortly after by Amedy Coulibaly.

This weekend, numerous other commemorations are set to take place, to honour the seventeen people killed during three days of attacks targeting Charlie Hebdo magazine, police and a kosher store.

However, the mood is unlikely to be one of total solidarity: the widow of a murdered policeman is taking legal action over alleged failings by the security services. Meanwhile, another widow, this time of Georges Wolinski, one of the slain cartoonists, has expressed outrage after her husband's name was mispelled on a plaque unveiled on Thursday by the President. It read "Georges Wolinsky", instead of "Wolinski".

Clarissa's name at least, has attracted less controversy.

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