Nine people have been arrested in France following the killing of Quentin Deranque, a 23-year-old student described as a far-right nationalist, who died after being assaulted in Lyon.
Deranque died in hospital two days after he was beaten and kicked about the head near the city’s Institute of Political Studies (Sciences-Po). Prosecutors said he was attacked by “at least six” masked individuals, with a post-mortem examination confirming fatal injuries to his skull and brain.
The assault followed a small demonstration by far-right feminists at the institute, where Deranque had reportedly been present to help provide protection.
French media have widely reported that suspects are linked to far-left militant networks, including individuals associated with the banned group La Jeune Garde. Authorities have not formally labelled the case under any specific extremist designation, but investigations are ongoing.
Among those detained is Jacques-Elie Favrot, a parliamentary assistant to a deputy from the left-wing France Unbowed (LFI) party at the National Assembly.
LFI leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon said his party had “nothing to do with this story” and expressed compassion for Deranque’s family, adding that his movement opposes all forms of violence.
