French Man Charged in Fatal Mosque Stabbing Amid Rising Islamophobia

IQNA – A French man accused of stabbing a worshipper to death at a mosque in southern France has been formally charged with premeditated murder motivated by race or religion, the Nîmes prosecutor’s office said on Friday.

Olivier Hadzovic, who fatally stabbed 22-year-old Aboubakar Cissé, a Malian national, at the mosque in La Grand-Combe on April 25, was extradited from Italy on Friday after turning himself in to local authorities there.

“The suspect remained silent during his first appearance before the investigating judge,” said Nîmes prosecutor Cécile Gensac, according to AFP. She added that he is expected to be questioned again later.

Hadzovic’s lawyer, Adrien Gabeaud, emphasized that his client’s silence “should not be interpreted as an attempt to hinder the investigation.” Gabeaud said he plans to request several expert assessments, including psychiatric evaluations.

Prosecutors allege that Hadzovic acted with clear intent and filmed the dying victim while shouting anti-religious slurs.

The indictment comes shortly before nationwide rallies planned for Sunday, May 11, in memory of Cissé. The main march is scheduled in Paris, with parallel demonstrations expected across France. The gatherings are being organized by political groups, activists, academics, and public figures to protest Islamophobia and honor the victim.

Cissé’s body was recently repatriated to Mali for burial, following the attack that has sparked outrage and renewed calls for stronger action against religiously motivated violence.

Source: Agencies