Muslim pensioner 'physically attacked' in Normandy following murder of priest

The man in his seventies was found 'nearly unconscious', according to local media

(Associated Press)

An investigation has been launched by French police after a Muslim man in his seventies was physically attacked near his home, according to local French media.

The pensioner, of Senegalese origin, was reportedly pursued by an unidentified assailant who attempted to strangle him outside the lift in his block of flats near Rouen.

He is said to have been found "nearly unconscious" by his children.

The incident took place one day after the killing of Father Jacques Hamel at a church in Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray, a commune 30 kilometres away.

The victim, who had lived in France for 50 years, had been helping two of his daughters carry luggage to their car outside his home.

The daughter of the victim told Normandie Paris: “My two sisters were leaving to drive to Paris and my father helped them load their luggage.

"A young man who was passing in the car honked and began to provoke them."

After the women left, the situation escalated as the driver reportedly threw racial insults and attempted to hit the pensioner from his car before he got out and "threw himself" at him.

The victim was taken to the local hospital with a head injury.

His other daughter told Normandie Paris: "My brothers and sisters found him nearly unconscious. He told us the suspect had gripped his throat."

The family of the victim believe the attack was linked to the murder of the 86-year-old priest, which took place the previous day during a morning mass.

The victims's daughter added: “There is no doubt that such violence is linked to the events of Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray."

"The attacker told him he would kill him like the priest was killed. And my father was clearly identified as a Muslim, he was wearing his religious garments.

“We do not understand this attack. My father never had problems in the past. The Christian and Muslim communities here have always been close."

The police have opened an investigation into the case.

Rouen's public prosecutor will decide whether to prosecute the attacker and whether or not the violence was racially motivated.