French President Emmanuel Macron has condemned the brutal killing of a young Malian man in La Grand-Combe, Gard region, describing the incident as an act of racism and religious hatred that has no place in France.
In his first public statement on the attack, Macron, through a post on X (formerly Twitter), declared, “Racism and hatred based on religion can have no place in France.
Freedom of worship cannot be violated.” The president expressed his solidarity with the Muslim community, assuring them of the government’s commitment to ensuring justice.
The tragic incident occurred on Friday, when the victim, a man in his twenties, was fatally stabbed multiple times by an assailant who reportedly filmed the gruesome assault while hurling anti-Islamic slurs.
The disturbing footage was shared online before being deleted. Authorities revealed that the attacker, identified only as Olivier, a French citizen of Bosnian descent, fled the scene and remains at large. He is considered “extremely dangerous,” according to investigators.
Condemnations have poured in from across the country. The Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France denounced the murder, calling it a “despicable crime” that should outrage all French citizens.
Meanwhile, the French Council of the Muslim Faith labeled the incident an “anti-Muslim terrorist attack” and urged Muslims to remain vigilant.
Prime Minister François Bayrou also strongly condemned the killing, describing it as an “Islamophobic atrocity.” Regional Prosecutor Abdelkrim Grini warned that the suspect must be apprehended swiftly to prevent further violence.
A protest against Islamophobia is scheduled to hold in Paris on Sunday evening, as the nation grapples with the shock and anger over the hate-driven attack. Authorities continue an intense manhunt for the suspect as investigations unfold.
