Macron condemns religious hatred in France after Muslim killed at mosque
Authorities say the suspect, who remains at large, filmed the attack on his phone.
French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday condemned racism and religious hatred after the fatal stabbing of a young Muslim man at a mosque in southern France.
"Racism and hatred tied to religion have no place in France. Freedom of worship must be safeguarded," Macron wrote on X, offering his support to Muslim citizens in his first public remarks on the attack.
The victim, identified as Aboubakar Cisse, a Malian national in his early twenties, was stabbed repeatedly during Friday’s assault in the village of La Grand-Combe, in the Gard region.
Authorities say the suspect, who remains at large, filmed the attack on his phone while hurling insults against Islam.
A manhunt for the attacker is ongoing.
French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou had already denounced what he described as an "Islamophobic atrocity," although the prosecutor in the case has emphasised that Islamophobia is just one of the motives being considered
On Sunday, around 1,000 residents took to the streets of La Grand-Combe — a town with a population of just 5,000 — to honor the memory of the victim.
The suspect reportedly recorded the assault on his phone, capturing footage of the victim in visible pain. This video was later sent to another individual, who briefly posted it on social media before removing it.
According to a source close to the investigation, who requested anonymity, the suspect has been identified as a French national of Bosnian descent and is not a Muslim.
Although authorities have identified him, he has not yet been apprehended.
The incident occurred inside the mosque, where only the young Malian victim, believed to be in his 20s, and the attacker were present.
After first joining the man in prayer, the assailant went on to stab the victim as many as 50 times before escaping.
It was not until later in the morning, when other worshippers arrived for Friday prayers, that the victim’s body was found inside the mosque.
In response to the killing, a demonstration "against Islamophobia" was scheduled for Sunday evening in Paris.