Suspect Arrested in French Mosque Attack Amid Call for Enhanced Protection of Muslims

A 20-year-old suspect, Olivier H., surrendered to Italian police in Pistoia on Sunday, following a fatal stabbing at the Khadidja mosque in La Grande-Combe, France, RFI news agency reported. The victim, Aboubakar Cissé, was attacked during prayers on April 26.

French authorities revealed the suspect recorded a video after the attack, expressing intentions to commit further killings. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau ordered enhanced security at all French mosques in response. Investigators are examining multiple motives, including potential Islamophobic extremism, but emphasize the inquiry remains open.

Over 2,000 people attended a vigil in La Grande-Combe, while parallel demonstrations occurred in Paris, reflecting broader concerns about anti-Muslim violence. President Emmanuel Macron reiterated commitments to religious freedom, and opposition leaders criticized government policies for allegedly exacerbating tensions. The suspect, born in Lyon to Bosnian parents, awaits extradition to France as forensic teams analyze digital evidence from his social media.