Evidence gathered by French authorities suggests the Muslim convert suspected of stabbing a soldier near Paris last weekend was acting in accordance with his religious beliefs, a state prosecutor said after the suspect's arrest on Wednesday (May 29).

Prosecutor Francois Molins told a news conference the suspect was seen on video surveillance footage "saying a Muslim prayer" minutes before an attack which came three days after the May 22 murder of a British soldier on the streets of London.

Molins said the suspect, a convert to Islam called Alexandre, struck the solider shortly after completing his prayer.

The 23-year-old French soldier was attacked from behind with a knife or box-cutter while patrolling the La Defense business neighbourhood west of Paris.

He was released from the hospital on Monday.

Presented by Adam Justice