Dozens of people gathered in Paris on Sunday afternoon, demanding justice following the death of a 23-year-old student linked to nationalist circles. The demonstration, held near the Sorbonne University, featured banners reading “Antifas assassins, justice for Quentin,” referring to Quentin Deranque, who died on Saturday two days after a violent assault in Lyon.
Political Accusations and Homage
Activists at the rally paid tribute to their “comrade” and denounced the left-wing party La France Insoumise (LFI), with chants of “LFI assassins” echoing through the crowd. The gathering was called by several identitarian and nationalist groups, including Les Natifs, La Bastide Bordelaise, and L’Oriflamme Rennes. Notable far-right figures, such as Marion Maréchal and Éric Zemmour, were present, while journalists reported restrictions on freely interviewing participants.
Investigation into the Lyon Incident
Quentin Deranque was assaulted on the sidelines of a conference by LFI European MP Rima Hassan at Sciences Po Lyon. He was hospitalized in serious condition on Thursday evening and succumbed to his injuries on Saturday. The Lyon prosecutor’s office has scheduled a press conference for Monday to clarify the circumstances, stating that the investigation is now focused on identifying those directly responsible for “corrective and criminal violence.” An inquiry has been opened for aggravated assault resulting in death and aggravated violence.
Conflicting Accounts and Denials
According to the far-right-aligned collective Némésis, Quentin was part of a security detail protecting female demonstrators protesting the conference. However, his family disputes this, stating he was not involved in any security service. They allege he was attacked by antifascist militants, some linked to the Jeune Garde, a collective co-founded by LFI MP Raphaël Arnault in 2018 and dissolved in June 2025. The Jeune Garde issued a statement on Sunday denying any responsibility for Quentin’s death.
The incident has intensified political tensions, with the upcoming municipal campaign in Lyon already affected by the fallout. Authorities continue to investigate the attack as the community seeks answers and accountability.
