Murder at Mosque in Southern France, Suspect Still at Large; Peaceful Protests in Solidarity with Muslim Community
A man was killed at a mosque in the southern French town of La Grand-Combe, and the suspected attacker remains at large. The incident occurred last Friday, with the victim being of Malian descent and in his twenties. After the murder, the attacker recorded the assault on his phone and filmed the dying victim.
Murder at Mosque in Southern France, Suspect Still at Large; Peaceful Protests in Solidarity with Muslim Community
Murder at Mosque in Southern France, Suspect Still at Large; Peaceful Protests in Solidarity with Muslim Community
A man was killed at a mosque in the southern French town of La Grand-Combe, and the suspected attacker remains at large. The incident occurred last Friday, with the victim being of Malian descent and in his twenties. After the murder, the attacker recorded the assault on his phone and filmed the dying victim.
French authorities have identified the suspect as Olivier, a non-Muslim French citizen, and described him as "extremely dangerous." Regional prosecutor Abdelkrim Grini stated that it is urgent to apprehend him. The attack is suspected to have been motivated by Islamophobic hatred.
French Prime Minister François Beyaud referred to the attack as "Islamophobic" and labeled it a deep terrorist act. President Emmanuel Macron also expressed support for the victim's family, stating, “Racism and hatred based on religion have no place in France.”
Following the murder, anti-Islamophobia marches were held in various cities across France. On Sunday, the SOS Racisme campaign group organized a march in La Grand-Combe, and a minute of silence will be observed nationwide, including at Place de la République in Paris, in remembrance of the victim.
Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin condemned the murder as "despicable" and announced that the state's resources have been mobilized to ensure punishment for the crime, standing in solidarity with the victim's family.
In addition to expressing sympathy with the Muslim community in France, citizens have been urged to protest peacefully.
