French authorities on Tuesday arrested four people over the fatal beating of a 23-year-old far-right activist on the sidelines of a protest in Lyon last week, an attack that has heightened political tensions ahead of key elections.
Issued on: 17/02/2026 - 19:58
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A portrait of French far-right activist Quentin Deranque who was killed on the sidelines of a far-right protest against a left-wing politician speaking at a university in the southeastern city of Lyon. © Family handout, AFP
01:51
French authorities on Tuesday arrested four suspects over the killing last week of a far-right activist, the prosecutor for the southeastern city of Lyon said.
Quentin Deranque, 23, died after sustaining a severe brain injury when he was attacked by at least six people on the sidelines of a far-right protest against a left-wing politician speaking at a university in Lyon.
A source following the case said an assistant of a member of parliament from the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party was among those detained.
Read moreFrench government blames hard left for 'climate of violence' after killing of far-right activist
The incident on Thursday last week has fueled tension between the far right and hard left ahead of municipal elections in March and the 2027 presidential race, in which the far-right National Rally (RN) party is seen as having its best chance yet of winning.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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