T
he death of Quentin Deranque on Saturday, February 14, in Lyon, two days after he was attacked during clashes between "two opposing groups," in the words of the interior minister, starkly exposed the current political climate in France. No one in France should ever be threatened – let alone lose their life – because of their views. The very fact that such a fundamental principle of democratic society and civil peace must be restated is deeply troubling.
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Six suspects sought in murder probe over far-right activist's death in Lyon
A 23-year-old far-right activist and student, Deranque was thrown to the ground and beaten by "at least six masked and hooded individuals" on Thursday, on the sidelines of a conference by radical-left MEP Rima Hassan (La France Insoumise, LFI) in Lyon, according to the prosecutor on Monday. Neither the autopsy performed Monday – which revealed "head injuries," "beyond any possible medical intervention and fatal in the short term" – nor the charges of "premeditated murder" and "aggravated assault under three circumstances: as a group, while masked and with weapons," under which the investigation has been opened, leaves any room for doubt. Deranque was beaten to death.
