Christian Refugee's Murder in Lyon Highlights Rising Jihadist Violence in France

The murder of Ashur Sarnaya, a Christian refugee from Iraq, in Lyon on September 10, 2025, underscores the escalating jihadist violence in France. Sarnaya, who was disabled and had sought refuge in France after facing threats due to his religious beliefs, was assassinated in a terrorist attack marking the third Islamist assault in France that year, following incidents in Apt and Mulhouse.

Ashur Sarnaya used a wheelchair and was known for broadcasting his experiences and religious views on TikTok, which led to threats from Islamist extremists. The accused, Sabri B., born in Algeria on December 16, 1997, has been charged with terrorist murder and criminal association. After the attack, Sabri B. fled France but was later apprehended. Investigations have revealed that Sabri B. held radical religious views, with new witness testimonies supporting this.

The case has drawn sharp criticism from Sarnaya's attorney, Me David Andic, who described the assassination as a "moral shock" and a failure of the French state to protect vulnerable minorities and refugees. Sarnaya's sister, living in fear, feels abandoned by the state. Andic stressed that this tragedy should not be dismissed as a "simple incident" but viewed within the wider context of increasing jihadist acts in France. He also expressed concerns about the normalization of relations with terrorist groups, which can minimize the perceived threat of extremist ideologies.

The incident reflects a broader societal issue of hate and ideological violence in France, highlighted recently by a racially-motivated attack in Puget-sur-Argens where authorities recognized extremist motivations. Andic called for a united societal response to combat the normalization of hate and violence and to protect France’s cohesion and values.

This assassination and its ramifications highlight the urgent need for sustained efforts to counter violent extremism and to safeguard minority communities in France, reflecting a troubling trajectory in the country’s security and social climate.