La Grand-Combe, France – April 27, 2025 – French police have intensified their search for a suspect following the fatal stabbing of a young Muslim worshipper inside a mosque in the village of La Grand-Combe, located north of Montpellier. Authorities are treating the killing as a possible Islamophobic hate crime.
Details of the Attack
The victim, a man in his early to mid-20s originally from Mali and a well-known regular at the mosque, was stabbed dozens of times by an assailant believed to be in his 20s. Surveillance footage captured the attacker and victim alone inside the mosque during the assault. Disturbingly, the attacker reportedly filmed the victim as he lay dying and sent the video to a friend, who briefly posted it online before deleting it.
The victim’s body was discovered mid-morning on Friday, hours after the attack. Locals described him as highly regarded in the community.
Suspect Profile and Investigation
Regional prosecutor Abdelkrim Grini confirmed that the suspect remains at large. Sources indicate the attacker is a French citizen of Bosnian origin who is not Muslim. During the assault, the suspect allegedly shouted insults against Allah, reinforcing suspicions of an Islamophobic motive.
The French anti-terror prosecutors’ office is considering taking over the investigation due to the nature of the crime.
Official Reactions
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the attack, reaffirming that religious freedom is “inviolable” in France and that hatred based on religion “will never have a place” in the country.
Prime Minister François Bayrou described the stabbing as an “Islamophobic atrocity” in a post on X, expressing solidarity with the victim’s family and the Muslim community. He assured that authorities are doing everything possible to apprehend the perpetrator and bring him to justice.