The president of Comoros, Azali Assoumani, sustained minor injuries from a knife attack while attending a funeral on Friday.

The attacker, a 24-year-old soldier named Ahmed Abdou, was arrested but was later found dead in his police cell.

Government officials confirmed that Abdou used a kitchen knife in the assault, which also injured a civilian who attempted to protect the president.

An investigation is currently underway to determine the motives behind the attack and the circumstances of Abdou’s death, ABC News has reported.

Assoumani, who has faced allegations of election fraud and crackdowns on dissent since extending his presidency this year, returned home after treatment for his injuries.

Written by B.C. Begley