French authorities condemn the deadly stabbing as "Islamic terrorist attacks" and hate crimes.

Italian police arrested a man suspected of killing Muslim worshippers in a mosque in southern France for "Islamic fear attack."

The suspect got on board at a police station near Florence late Sunday, two days after the attack on La Grand Combe, a former mine town in the Gade area. The Malian murders were condemned as "anti-Muslim" and "racist" crimes.

The French Ministry of Interior confirmed that the suspect was born in 2004, with no previous criminal record, and crossed Italy before surrendering.

Abdelkrim Grini's prosecutor in Ales, a southern city of Gard, told BFM TV that police have been tracking the suspect after fleeing France, adding: "It's just a matter of time when we get in touch with him."

He added: “Anti-Muslim motivations are the preferred leader.” But authorities are also exploring other motivations, including “a fascination with death.”

Authorities launched a pursuit Friday after the attack, which was captured on the suspect's phone and later circulated online.

Security footage reportedly showed the attacker shouting insult to God before conducting the attack.

Grini said France will quickly begin extradition procedures. "We will do everything we can to get him back as soon as possible."

In meditation, at this moment of gravity, it is a responsibility to list things accurately.
Human responsibilities and citizens, political obligations.

To Abu Bakr's family, the Muslim community of Grand-Combe, our condolences and our unwavering fraternity. pic.twitter.com/grd2cy36mc

- alyd (@alydiouara) April 27, 2025

President Emmanuel Macron condemned the attack, claiming: "Racism and hatred based on religion will never have a place in France. Religious freedom is inviolable."

Earlier, Prime Minister Francois Bayrou called the attack "Islamophobia."

The victim was identified in the Grand Mosque in Paris, known locally as Aboubakar, a young man in his 20s who had cleaned the mosque shortly before the attack.

Pro-victim demonstrations were held in Los Angeles Grand Coas and Paris over the weekend, with activists demanding stronger action against anti-Muslim violence.

France is home to Europe's largest Muslim population, accounting for about 10% of the country's homeland.