Murder Inquiry Launched After Far-Right Activist's Death in Lyon Fuels Political Tensions
French authorities have opened a murder investigation following the tragic death of Quentin Deranque, a 23-year-old mathematics student and far-right activist, who succumbed to a severe brain injury over the weekend. The Lyon prosecutor, Thierry Dran, confirmed that Deranque was assaulted by at least six masked individuals, with police actively working to identify suspects, though no arrests have been made yet.
Attack Occurs Amidst University Protest
Deranque was attacked on Thursday during a protest against a university conference attended by Rima Hassan, a European member of parliament from Jean-Luc Mélenchon's left-wing party, La France Insoumise (LFI). The anti-immigration Nemesis collective, which is closely aligned with the far right, organized the protest and claimed that Deranque was present to provide security for its members. They alleged he was assaulted by anti-fascist activists, a claim that has sparked significant controversy.
In a statement to French media, Deranque's family lawyer described the attack as an ambush by "organized and trained individuals, vastly superior in number and armed, some with their faces masked." The lawyer further clarified to Le Monde that Deranque was not officially part of any security organization, had no criminal record, and advocated for his political beliefs "in a non-violent way."
Political Fallout and Accusations
This incident has exacerbated political divisions in France, occurring just before municipal elections and next year's presidential race. The LFI party, which Mélenchon describes as "radical left," was recently labeled as "far left" by the French interior ministry, a designation that both LFI and Socialist party leader Olivier Faure have protested. On Monday, government spokesperson Maud Bregeon accused LFI of having "encouraged a climate of violence for years," suggesting a moral responsibility for the attack.
In response, LFI lawmaker Éric Coquerel condemned "all political violence" and asserted that the activists responsible for Hassan's security were not involved in the assault. A video broadcast by TF1 reportedly shows a group of people attacking three individuals on the ground, with one lying motionless, and a witness told Agence France-Presse that "people were hitting each other with iron bars."
Public Reactions and Demonstrations
In the wake of Deranque's death, far-right demonstrations have taken place in Montpellier and Paris, where protesters displayed banners reading "antifa murderers, justice for Quentin." French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his condolences on social media, stating, "It is essential that the perpetrators of this ignominy be prosecuted, brought to justice and convicted. Hatred that kills has no place among us. I call for calm, restraint and respect."
The case continues to unfold as police investigations progress, highlighting the deep-seated political tensions in France and raising concerns about escalating violence in the lead-up to critical electoral events.
