Suspect in French mosque attack denies Islamophobia, claims memory loss
The suspect in the Islamophobic attack at the mosque in La Grand-Combe, France, reportedly does not recall filming his actions and denies being «against Islam», according to his lawyer. Speaking to BFMTV on Monday, attorney Giovanni Salvietti said that after the attack, which took place last Friday, Olivier A. «fled by train to Italy», traveling without any luggage to stay with an aunt in Pistoia, near Florence. «Upon his arrival on Saturday evening, he confessed everything to her, and she urged him to turn himself in with the help of a lawyer she knew», the media outlet reported.
Salvietti maintained that his client did not act «out of hatred for Islam». The 21-year-old surrendered to police on Sunday evening, stating that he «killed the first person he encountered» along his path. The lawyer also suggested that the act was not premeditated, arguing that Olivier A. «felt an urge to kill at that moment». Meanwhile, on Monday, the Nîmes public prosecutor announced the opening of a judicial investigation «for premeditated murder motivated by race or religion».
Inside the mosque, the body of the victim, Aboubakar Cissé, was found with dozens of stab wounds. The suspect had reportedly filmed the young Malian as he lay dying, making anti-religious remarks. Citing possible personal struggles, the assailant's family raised concerns that «depression» might have been a factor. «According to them, he had spent months isolating himself in his room, refusing to speak to anyone», BFMTV noted, describing a suspect who appeared «very quiet, taciturn, and withdrawn» during questioning.
As for the legal proceedings, they are expected to «conclude by Wednesday» to enable his extradition to France, which had issued a European arrest warrant after losing track of the suspect in Hérault during the search. In the meantime, Olivier A. remains «in a holding cell at the Pistoia police prefecture» and could be moved to a more secure prison facility in Florence or Prato to prevent potential reprisals from other inmates.
On Sunday, a white march honoring the victim brought together more than a thousand people in La Grand-Combe, between the mosque and the town hall. Another gathering was also held in Paris, attended by political figures, including Jean-Luc Mélenchon.
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