Place de la Republique statue
Some of the figures hold placards bearing slogans such as "Je Suis Charlie" Charles Platiau/Reuters

France's biggest satire weekly Le Canard Enchaîné has received death threats for supporting Charlie Hebdo, whose latest issue has hit the stands with a fresh Mohammad caricature following the deadly Paris massacre.

Le Canard Enchaîné, which when loosely translated means The Chained Duck, has said its journalists were threatened they would be slashed "with an axe" for running cartoons mocking Islam.

In their latest issue, the French magazine said they received the threat on 8 January, a day after Charlie Hebdo's office was stormed by two Islamist extremist brothers, with a warning message reading: "It's your turn".

The weekly has said police have initiated an investigation into the matter and security has been beefed up.

Le Canard Enchaîné sells about 500,000 copies every week – in comparison Charlie Hebdo's circulation is about 60,000 copies.

The French magazine is known for its satirical take on political and business affairs.

The latest development about the threat has surfaced when Charlie Hebdo publishes its first issue after the attack. Three million copies are being printed and cartoons are to run in six languages with some available only in the digital version.

France has heightened security measures across the country over the situation.