"Racism will never have place in France," Macron condemns mosque stabbing

President Emmanuel Macron expressed strong condemnation on Sunday following the tragic stabbing of a Muslim man at a mosque in southern France. The attack, which resulted in the victim’s death, has sparked outrage across the country.

Read more: Manhunt underway after deadly mosque stabbing in France

In his first public remarks since the incident, Macron took to X to declare, "Racism and hatred based on religion can have no place in France. Freedom of worship cannot be violated." He also extended his support to the Muslim community, stating, "Our fellow Muslim citizens" are in his thoughts during this time of sorrow.

The man accused of carrying out a deadly stabbing at a mosque in La Grand-Combe, southern France, has yet to be apprehended, according to the Alès public prosecutor’s office, which provided an update on Saturday.

Authorities continue to piece together what happened during the attack, which left a worshipper, aged either 23 or 24, dead. According to Franceinfo, the suspect filmed himself after the stabbing, waving a knife and uttering blasphemous slurs.

Investigators are looking into whether the killing was driven by anti-Muslim hatred, several local media outlets reported.

Alès public prosecutor Abdelkrim Grini stated that while the National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor’s Office has been following developments closely, it has not formally taken over the investigation. Grini explained that the victim was a familiar face at the mosque in the Trescol district of La Grand-Combe, whereas the suspect was unknown to the local community.

Security footage from inside and outside the mosque captured images of the alleged attacker, who does not appear to have any ties to worshippers or area residents.

Le Parisien cited sources saying the suspect recorded the aftermath of the attack on his phone after stabbing the victim multiple times.

Meanwhile, the town of La Grand-Combe has begun efforts to raise money to send the victim's body, identified as Aboubakar, back to his family in Mali.