Grand-Combe Mosque attacker charged with racist, religious murder
مدة القراءة: 1'
The attacker involved in the mosque stabbing in La Grand-Combe on April 25 has been formally charged and taken into custody, the Nîmes prosecutor's office announced on Friday, May 9. Olivier Hadzovic, who fatally stabbed 22-year-old Malian national Aboubakar Cissé, is facing charges of premeditated murder motivated by race or religion—two aggravating circumstances under French law.
The suspect, who had fled to Italy after the attack, turned himself in to local authorities and was extradited to France yesterday morning. According to a statement from Nîmes prosecutor Cécile Gensac, cited by AFP, Hadzovic was unable to speak during his initial appearance before the investigating judge. His defense lawyer, Adrien Gabeaud, clarified that this silence was not an attempt to obstruct the investigation or evade justice. «He will be questioned at a later time», Gensac added.
Gabeaud also indicated that he would request several assessments for his client, including psychiatric evaluations. Meanwhile, the prosecutor's office maintains that the accused acted with clear intent. After committing the stabbing, Hadzovic allegedly filmed the dying victim while shouting anti-religious slurs.
The indictment comes just two days ahead of a national march against Islamophobia, planned for Sunday, May 11, in Paris, in memory of Aboubakar Cissé. Organized by political groups, civil society organizations, academics, writers, and public figures, similar gatherings are expected to take place across France on the same day.
Since the attack, Cissé's body has been repatriated to Mali for burial.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Ya Biladi
2 days ago
- Ya Biladi
French Justice Minister praises Morocco for arrest in crypto-kidnapping case
French Minister of Justice Gérald Darmanin expressed his gratitude to Morocco on Wednesday and praised the excellent judicial cooperation between the two countries, following the arrest of the alleged mastermind behind a series of recent crypto-related kidnappings in France. «I sincerely thank Morocco for this arrest, which demonstrates the excellent judicial cooperation between our two countries, particularly in the fight against organized crime», the French minister wrote on his official X account. The arrest was the result of a joint security operation carried out by Morocco's National Brigade of Judicial Police (BNPJ), in coordination with the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST). The operation led to the apprehension of a French-Moroccan national suspected of involvement in kidnappings for extortion and ransom targeting cryptocurrency users, as well as in money laundering activities linked to an international organized crime network operating in France. The 25-year-old suspect was arrested in the city of Tangier as part of international security cooperation, shortly after Moroccan authorities received a formal request from their French counterparts outlining the criminal offenses allegedly committed on French territory, according to a statement from the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN).
Morocco World
3 days ago
- Morocco World
Forced to Work as ‘Antoine,' Mohamed Wins Lawsuit After 20 Years of Discrimination in France
Rabat – For 20 years, Mohamed Amghar went to work under a name that wasn't his. Hired in 1997 by Intergraph France, a technology company, Mohamed was asked to stop using his real name and start going by 'Antoine.' Now, after a long legal battle, a French court has ruled in his favor. The court found that Intergraph France discriminated against Mohamed because of his name, committed moral harassment, and violated his privacy. The company was ordered to pay him €30,000 in damages. 'The pain is still there. It's 20 years of my life,' Mohamed told Le Parisien after the court's decision. Mohamed had just completed a successful job interview in late 1996 when his future manager asked him to use a different name. Mohamed, shocked and ashamed, accepted the condition. He never received an explanation. But he believes it was because his boss thought a name like 'Mohamed' would hurt sales and scare clients. 'It's racism. It's discrimination,' Mohamed said. Although he knew it was wrong, Mohamed stayed. He was in his 40s, had three children, and had already left his previous job. Over the years, he became a top salesman, winning company awards and earning good money, but always under the name 'Antoine.' Mohamed Amghar After leaving the company in 2017, Mohamed took legal action. In 2018, his lawyer tried to settle the matter quietly, but Intergraph denied responsibility. The company even suggested that Mohamed may have chosen the name himself. He then took the case to labor court in France, but lost in 2022. Mohamed then decided to appeal and finally, in 2025, the court ruled in his favor. The court said the employer failed to explain why the name 'Antoine' was used and could not prove that Mohamed had asked for the name change. While Mohamed was happy to finally receive recognition, the damages awarded, €30,000, feel small to him. 'This isn't enough to stop others from doing the same. For a billion-euro company, it means nothing,' he said. Mohamed's story is not unique, as many people with Muslim names or North African backgrounds face pressure to hide their identity to fit in or avoid discrimination in France. Tags: ArabFranceIslamophobiamuslim
Morocco World
3 days ago
- Morocco World
France Thanks Morocco Over Arrest of Man Behind Crypto-Related Kidnappings
Rabat – France thanked Morocco today, stressing the country's importance as a strategic ally in security following the arrest of a suspect behind a series of recent crypto-related kidnappings in France. French Minister of Justice Gerald Darmanin conveyed his country's gratitude in a statement on X, where he 'sincerely thanks Morocco for this arrest.' He said this 'demonstrates the excellent judicial cooperation between our two countries, particularly in the fight against organized crime.' Earlier today, a joint operation by national judicial police in coordination with the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGST) enabled security services to arrest a French-Moroccan national. A statement from the police indicated that the suspect is thought to be involved in crimes related to kidnapping with extortion, ransom demands targeting cryptocurrency users, as well as money laundering operations as part of an international crime network operating in France. The arrest took place in Tangier, falling within Moroccan security services' efforts to tackle insecurity. Police arrested the suspect after receiving a formal complaint from French security services detailing the alleged criminal acts the suspect committed in the European country. DGSN stressed in a statement today that the security operation is part of ongoing and intensive efforts by the national police to combat transnational organized crime and to deny criminals a safe haven or a legitimate operating base in Morocco. Many countries, including France, have highlighted Morocco's assistance on the security front. In April, French Interior Minister Bruno Retalleau described Morocco as a 'precious partner' in security matters. 'We are witnessing a renewed energy in our bilateral relationship, one that extends across multiple fields, including security,' Retailleau said during his visit to Morocco in April. He also pointed to joint cooperation between Moroccan and French authorities, including the arrest of several major drug traffickers wanted by French authorities.
