The French city of Lyon was the scene of a large mobilization on Saturday (21), when around 3,500 people gathered to pay homage to Quentin Deranque — the 23-year-old student and right-wing nationalist activist brutally murdered by left-wing militants.
The act, marked by silence, prayers and calls for justice, brought together protesters carrying white roses and portraits of the young man. The crime took place on the 12th, close to a university event that was attended by an MEP from the França Insubmissa (LFI) party, which has a radical left orientation.
According to authorities, Deranque was surrounded and beaten by at least six hooded men. He did not survive his injuries.
The investigation identified 11 suspects. Seven were formally indicted, six of them for intentional homicide. Among those detained is a parliamentary advisor to deputy Raphaël Arnault, linked to the LFI — which expanded the political debate about the escalation of ideological violence in the country.
peaceful march
The march took place under a heavy police presence and was generally peaceful. Banners criticizing anti-fascist groups and slogans against political radicalization were displayed by those present.
The city hall informed, however, that it analyzes videos with records of Nazi salutes, made by isolated individuals, during the demonstration. Mayor Fabienne Buccio stated that any possible “reprehensible gesture or comment” will be forwarded to the Public Ministry for investigation.
Diplomatic tension
The case went beyond French borders. The Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, classified the murder as “a wound for the whole of Europe” and an attack on democratic coexistence.
French President Emmanuel Macron asked for serenity and announced meetings to discuss measures to combat groups involved in violent actions.
The episode also created diplomatic tension between France and the United States. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot summoned the American ambassador to Paris, Charles Kushner, following statements by the Trump administration classifying the crime as an example of “far-left political violence”.
Barrot reacted by stating that France “has no lessons to learn” on how to deal with its internal violence, considering the statements to be interference in domestic matters.
SEE ALSO:
- Right-wing activist is murdered by leftists in France and case causes tension between Macron and Meloni
- France arrests 11, including parliamentary advisor, over death of right-wing activist
