Suspect arrested in attack on French soldier religiously motivated: prosecutor

The man suspected of stabbing a French soldier last week was believed to have acted in accordance with his "religious ideology," Paris prosecutor Francois Molins said.

During a press conference, Molins said preliminary information showed that Alexandre, a 22-year-old French, "wanted to attack a representative of the state."

The suspect was seen on video surveillance camera saying a Muslim prayer shortly before the stabbing which "leads us to believe he was acting on the basis of religious beliefs." he stressed.

"It seems clear the intent was to kill as he did not hesitate to attack (the soldier) with impressive determination," the prosecutor added.

The stabbing in the business district of La Defense last Saturday echoed the grisly killing of a British soldier in London last week and authorities are seeking to determine if the Paris incident was a copycat.

The wounded French serviceman was treated for his injury and left hospital on Monday.

Alexandre, known to police for crimes such as theft and possession of firearms, "implicitly acknowledged the fact," according to Molins.

He was arrested in the Paris suburb of Yvelines on Wednesday after being identified through fingerprints in a bag left by the perpetrator at the crime scene. The custody can last up to 96 hours.