The fatal stabbing of a young man inside a mosque in southern France has intensified national debate over Islamophobia, as French Muslim leaders urge authorities to take stronger action against religious hatred.
The suspect, identified as 21-year-old Olivier A. from Lyon, turned himself in to police in Italy late Sunday, ending a three-day international manhunt. French prosecutors confirmed his arrest on Monday, saying he is accused of murdering 22-year-old Aboubakar Cissé, a Malian-born carpenter and mosque volunteer, during morning prayers at the Khadidja mosque in La Grand-Combe.
Investigators believe Olivier A. entered the mosque Friday morning and attacked Cissé with a knife, reportedly stabbing him repeatedly and filming the assault on his phone. A voice in the footage is heard boasting, “I did it,” and hurling slurs at Allah.
Cissé, who had gone to the mosque alone to pray, was found dead by fellow worshippers later that morning. The brutality of the killing has sent shockwaves across France. President Emmanuel Macron condemned the act, stating that religious hatred has no place in the country. Prime Minister François Bayrou also labeled the attack an “Islamophobic” crime.
Mohammed Moussaoui, president of the French Muslim Council, said on national radio that many French Muslims feel that anti-Muslim violence isn’t treated with the same urgency as other forms of hate. He questioned why no anti-terrorism investigation had been launched.
Abdelkrim Grini, the state prosecutor in Alès, confirmed the arrest and stated that Islamophobic motives were central to the inquiry. He added that there are indications the suspect may have been fascinated by death and aspired to notoriety as a serial killer.
Ibrahim Cissé, the victim’s cousin, told Le Parisien that Aboubakar was clearly targeted because of his faith. “This was planned. Someone walked into a mosque to kill. For us, it’s a terrorist act,” he said.
The suspect’s Italian lawyer, however, claimed his client did not express any hostility toward Islam and alleged that he attacked the first person he saw. “He said nothing against Muslims or mosques,” said attorney Giovanni Salvietti.
Authorities revealed that Olivier A., who was unemployed and living in La Grand-Combe, had no prior criminal record and was unknown to police.
On Sunday, over 1,000 people gathered in silence to honor Cissé’s memory, marching from the mosque to the local town hall. In Paris, hundreds more rallied to denounce the rise in Islamophobia.
President Macron offered his condolences on social media, writing: “Racism and religious hatred will never be tolerated in France.” In response to the killing, the French government has ordered increased police protection for mosques across the country.
