Macron says France ‘no place for racism or hate’ after Muslim worshipper murdered

'Freedom of worship cannot be violated,' says French president

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the brutal killing of a Muslim worshipper inside a mosque in southern France, saying racism and religious hatred have "no place" in the country. "Freedom of worship cannot be violated," Macron said on X, offering his support to "our fellow Muslim citizens" following Friday’s deadly attack in the village of La Grand-Combe in the Gard region. Prime Minister Francois Bayrou also condemned the killing as an "Islamophobic atrocity," while the French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM) called it an "anti-Muslim terrorist attack" and urged vigilance among the Muslim community. Jewish organizations also expressed outrage. The Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France (CRIF) described the murder as a "despicable crime that must revolt the hearts of all French people." The suspected attacker, identified as Olivier H., a French citizen of Bosnian origin born in 2004, surrendered to authorities late Sunday at a police station in Pistoia, Italy after several days on the run, according to Franceinfo. He was taken into custody, and extradition proceedings are underway to return him to France. Authorities said the 24-year-old victim, a Malian national, was stabbed between 40 and 50 times while praying inside the mosque early Friday morning.