The tragic death of 23-year-old nationalist activist Quentin Deranque has sparked a political storm in France. The man died from injuries sustained during a brutal attack in Lyon, which occurred in connection with a conference by MEP Rima Hassan. In relation to the case, a parliamentary assistant of a deputy from the France Unbowed party was arrested, leading to sharp clashes in the National Assembly and accusations of political responsibility for the violence.

Arrest of a parliamentary assistant

In the investigation into the death of Quentin Deranque, Jacques-Elie Favrot, an assistant to deputy Raphaël Arnault of the France Unbowed party, was detained.

Political storm in parliament

In the National Assembly, sharp clashes occurred between the government and the left; Maud Bregeon demands the removal of Arnault from the parliamentary group.

Tragic outcome of a brawl

The victim is a 23-year-old student and nationalist activist, who died after being beaten by masked perpetrators during a conference by Rima Hassan.

The death of Quentin Deranque, a young activist linked to identitarian circles, has become the central point of political debate in France. The 23-year-old was brutally beaten in Lyon on Thursday, February 12, while securing a demonstration by the Némésis group. The attack took place near a conference organized by Rima Hassan, an MEP from the left-wing party La France insoumise. The victim died in hospital on Saturday, immediately triggering a wave of reactions from right-wing politicians, accusing the far-left of inciting violence. The situation escalated after the arrest of Jacques-Elie Favrot, who served as a parliamentary assistant to deputy Raphaël Arnault. Arnault himself is a controversial figure as a co-founder of the anti-fascist organization Jeune Garde. In the National Assembly, a minute of silence was observed, but the solemnity of the moment was quickly broken by sharp exchanges. Maud Bregeon, the government spokesperson, called for Arnault's expulsion from the parliamentary group, and Jordan Bardella directly accused Jean-Luc Mélenchon of "opening the doors of parliament to alleged murderers." Lyon has for years been an arena of violent clashes between radical right-wing groups and anti-fascist militias, making the city one of the most politically polarized centers in France. Representatives of LFI, including group leader Mathilde Panot, firmly reject accusations of links to the incident. They claim the tragedy is being instrumentally exploited by the right to discredit the opposition. Meanwhile, the interior minister reported numerous acts of vandalism targeting offices of left-wing MPs, indicating an escalation of aggression on both sides of the political scene. The murder investigation is ongoing, and the prosecutor's office is examining the degree of involvement of nine detained individuals in this tragic incident. „No one should die at the age of 23. No one should die for their beliefs.” — Yaël Braun-Pivet 9 — people have been detained in the murder investigation Chronology of events in Lyon: February 12 — Attack in Lyon; February 14 — Activist's death; February 17, 14:30 — Minute of silence; February 17, evening — Arrests

Mentioned People

  • Quentin Deranque — 23-year-old nationalist activist, victim of a fatal beating in Lyon.
  • Mathilde Panot — Chair of the La France insoumise group in the National Assembly.
  • Jordan Bardella — President of the National Rally, a sharp critic of LFI's actions.
  • Raphaël Arnault — LFI deputy, whose assistant was detained in the murder investigation.