A 27-year-old man accused of setting fire to a copy of the Quran at the entrance of the Errahma Mosque in Villeurbanne, near Lyon, is set to stand trial on July 30, the prosecutor's office confirmed on Thursday, June 5. He will be prosecuted for «damage motivated by religious hatred». The incident, described as «Islamophobic» by several local officials, occurred in the early hours between Sunday and Monday, just before the dawn prayer. The suspect's actions were captured on surveillance cameras, leading to his arrest the following evening. The man reportedly admitted to the act while in police custody. According to Le Progrès, he suffers from psychiatric disorders and has been under medical supervision for several years. A psychiatric evaluation will be conducted prior to the trial. In the meantime, prosecutors have requested that he remain in custody until the hearing. This latest act of desecration comes amid rising tensions in France. According to data from the French Interior Ministry, 79 anti-Muslim incidents were recorded in the first quarter of 2025—an increase of 72% compared to the same period in 2024.
