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Prosecutor Rules Out Terrorism in Mosque Killing as Suspect Awaits Extradition

French authorities classify the murder of Aboubakar Cissé as a hate crime driven by personal motives, with the national antiterror prosecutor maintaining an observational role.

Overview

  • The murder of Aboubakar Cissé, a 22-year-old Malian Muslim, in a Gard mosque on April 25 has been classified as aggravated murder with a hate-crime enhancement.
  • Prosecutor Cécile Gensac stated that the suspect, Olivier Hadzovic, acted out of an 'obsessive desire to kill' and not due to ideological or religious hatred.
  • The Parquet national antiterroriste (PNAT) has not taken over the case, citing the absence of ideological motives or links to organized terrorism.
  • Hadzovic, who fled to Italy after the attack, awaits extradition to France by mid-May under expedited procedures.
  • Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau is set to meet the victim’s family and Malian community leaders on May 5, amid criticism over the government’s response.