Hundreds of people gathered for a demonstration at Place de la République in Paris on Sunday to pay tribute to Aboubakar Cisse, who was brutally killed while praying in a mosque in southern France days before. The solidarity march brought together non-governmental organisations, political representatives and faith leaders who denounced what they described as an Islamophobic atmosphere in France. "We have a system, we have a state that is afraid, and it is this fear that we are facing head-on," said activist Assa Traoré. Demonstrators were seen holding signs reading "Islamophobia kills, the state is complicit," and "Justice for Aboubakar," the young worshipper killed on Friday. Director General for NGO SOS Racisme, Valentin Stel, voiced his concern about a growing trend he's observed in recent years. "We've been witnessing for years, hate speech," he said. "Hate speech targeting the Muslim community in France, saying that they are not fully French or their loyalty is questionable." On Friday, Cisse was fatally stabbed by another man after he had just finished cleaning the mosque in the former mining town of La Grand Combe. The assailant, a man born in France in 2004 who lived in the area and who reportedly had never been to the mosque before, recorded the scene on his phone. Security camera footage also showed him shouting insults at Allah, local media said. Both men had been alone in the mosque. French leaders condemned the attack, with Prime Minister Francois Bayrou describing the attack as Islamophobic. "We stand shoulder to shoulder with the victim's family and the shocked worshippers," he said. "The resources of the state are being mobilized to ensure that the murderer is caught and punished." Meanwhile, President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that "racism and hatred based on religion will never have a place in France." "Religious freedom is inviolable," he added. Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin called the stabbing a "despicable murder" that "wounds the hearts of all believers, of all Muslims in France." Authorities on Monday said the main suspect in the murder surrendered to law enforcement officials in Italy last night. According to local reports, the man was reportedly taken away in a car. Reports claim that the man, identified as Olivier H, was of Bosnian roots, and was one of 11 siblings raised in a religious family in Lyon. According to French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, he posted a video on social media after the killing, stating he wanted to commit more murders and become a "serial killer". Abdelkrim Grini, the prosecutor in the southern city of Alès in charge of the case, made the announcement of his arrest, saying it was a satisfying outcome. "Faced with the effectiveness of the measures put in place, the suspect had no option but to hand himself in — and that is the best thing he could have done." Around 70 investigators had been deployed, with police forces in the wake of the incident to find the suspect. Meanwhile, the Great Mosque of Paris called on authorities to investigate the motives behind the attack, asking judicial authorities to specify whether the attack can be classified as a "terrorist act". They asked the authorities to note its "scale and seriousness ... for the safety of all." — Euronews
