Olivier Hadzovic is the main suspect behind the recent French mosque murder, find out more about him and the incident below
The shocking murder has sparked widespread outrage across France and beyond as citizens march in protest across streets.
After two days on the run, 21-year-old Olivier Hadzovic surrendered to Italian police, confessing to the murder of Aboubakar Cissé in a mosque in La Grand-Combe, France.
The man surrendered to the police headquarters in Pistoia, near Florence, on Sunday evening around 11 p.m. “accompanied by a lawyer and a close relative living in the town,” the Italian police said.
Who is Olivier Hadzovic, who stabbed Muslim man Aboubakar Cisse to death in La Grand-Combe Mosque, France, bio, age, nationality and religion
Olivier Hadžović a Christian terrorist who killed an innocent man in France.
There are people with his surname in our country.
It seems that the "Hadžović" are a Roma tribe, especially the ones with strange names.
Be careful. pic.twitter.com/enD4PZjGjB
— Kenan Čorbo (@CorboKenan) April 28, 2025
Olivier Hadzovic
Né à Lyon en 2004.
RSA.
Domicile inconnu.
Pas d’antécédent judiciaire.
Inconnu également des services de gendarmerie locaux.
D’une famille de 11 enfants, originaire de Bosnie et chrétienne qui vit dans des logements sociaux de La Grand-Combe. pic.twitter.com/IP7cr11xXa— .𝔼𝕏𝔼 (@l1ll0ll1ll) April 27, 2025
Olivier Hadzovic arrested for French mosque murder
A shocking incident took place on Sunday evening, when a French citizen named Olivier Hadzovic brutally stabbed another man to death. Following which he later turned himself in at a police station in Pistoia, Italy, accompanied by a lawyer and a close relative. Hadzovic reportedly stabbed Aboubakar Cisse to death inside a mosque in La Grand-Combe, which is located in the Gard region of southern France.
Charges and incident reports
According to official reports, Hadzovic stabbed Aboubakar Cisse dozens of times while the two were alone inside the mosque. Following the attack, he went on to film the victim’s suffering on his phone while shouting all kinds of insults against Islam. The disturbing video eventually made it to social media, where it went viral. Following the brutal killing, witnesses then discovered Cisse’s body when they arrived for Friday prayers. French prosecutors have stated that Hadzovic “boasted” about his crime and even expressed intentions to commit further acts of violence.
Reason behind the murder
Authorities are currently out investigating Islamophobia as the lead motive, while also stressing on other factors as well. Hadzovic’s insults toward Islam and self-congratulatory remarks in the video have also strongly pointed towards a hate crime rooted in Islamophobia. However, as of now, officials have not ruled out the possibility of other motives as well.
Oliver Hadzovic bio
Oliver Hadzovic is a 21-year-old French Christian citizen of Bosnian descent who lives in La Grand-Combe. According to reports, he is currently unemployed and has no prior criminal records hinting at violent extremism. Moreover, his sudden and brutal crime has left people who knew him in shock.
Earlier his name had been circulating as Olivier A., a man born in Lyon in 2004, of French nationality and from a Bosnian family.
Reactions from the government and citizens
Following the brutal murder, various French leaders as well as the country’s citizens have sparked widespread outrage. French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed:
Racism and hatred based on religion will never have a place in France”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Francois Bayrou described the killing as an “Islamophobic atrocity.” Government spokeswoman Sophie Primas also rejected all claims of a “double standard” in the handling of the case. She emphasized the government’s commitment towards fighting all forms of discrimination. Over 1,000 French citizens also went out on the streets for a silent march in La Grand-Combe to honor Cisse. The brutal nature of the crime has left the entire country of France reeling in shock and anger.
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