Suspect in La Grand-Combe Mosque Murder Extradited to France
Olivier Hadzovic, the alleged assailant, returned to France following a brief stint in Italy after the fatal stabbing of Aboubakar Cissé.
On April 25, 2025, a violent attack occurred at the Khadidja Mosque in La Grand-Combe, a small town in the Gard region of France, when an assailant entered the mosque and fatally stabbed worshipper Aboubakar Cissé, who was preparing the premises for prayer.
Reports indicate that the suspect inflicted approximately forty stab wounds, and the attack was partially recorded by him, later shared on social media with inflammatory remarks against Islam.
The victim was discovered deceased by fellow congregants who arrived for Friday prayers later that morning.
Immediately after the incident, the suspect, identified as Olivier Hadzovic, fled the scene.
A manhunt ensued, culminating in Hadzovic's self-surrender at a police station in Pistoia, near Florence, four days later on April 29. Initially placed in custody at the Prato prison, he was subsequently transferred to Santo Stefano Hospital due to medical concerns.
Medical evaluations during his hospital stay revealed a diagnosis of chronic schizophrenia.
Documentation reviewed from the Italian health authorities described him as exhibiting "fluid speech" and "intact logic," albeit with partial hesitations regarding recent events, alongside indications of "auditory hallucinations."
While receiving antipsychotic treatment in Italy, reports stated that Hadzovic expressed a desire to return to France.
After ten days of care, he was handed over to French authorities at the Menton border around 1 PM, with the operation facilitated by the French police and customs cooperation center (CCPD) and executed by elite units known as RAID.
Reports indicate that the suspect inflicted approximately forty stab wounds, and the attack was partially recorded by him, later shared on social media with inflammatory remarks against Islam.
The victim was discovered deceased by fellow congregants who arrived for Friday prayers later that morning.
Immediately after the incident, the suspect, identified as Olivier Hadzovic, fled the scene.
A manhunt ensued, culminating in Hadzovic's self-surrender at a police station in Pistoia, near Florence, four days later on April 29. Initially placed in custody at the Prato prison, he was subsequently transferred to Santo Stefano Hospital due to medical concerns.
Medical evaluations during his hospital stay revealed a diagnosis of chronic schizophrenia.
Documentation reviewed from the Italian health authorities described him as exhibiting "fluid speech" and "intact logic," albeit with partial hesitations regarding recent events, alongside indications of "auditory hallucinations."
While receiving antipsychotic treatment in Italy, reports stated that Hadzovic expressed a desire to return to France.
After ten days of care, he was handed over to French authorities at the Menton border around 1 PM, with the operation facilitated by the French police and customs cooperation center (CCPD) and executed by elite units known as RAID.
