The French far-left party, La France Insoumise (LFI), is under scrutiny following accusations against activists from a closely affiliated organization for the murder of a 23-year-old mathematics student.

Quentin Deranque, a devout Catholic who was actively involved in his parish, was attacked while participating in a charity event. He was providing security for a gathering organized by the group Daughters of Nemesis.

Nemesis, known for its campaigns against mass immigration, intersectional feminism, and what it terms „Islamo-leftism,” had organized a small, peaceful protest. Activists unfurled a banner reading “Islamo-gauchistes hors de nos facs” (“Islamo-leftists out of our universities”). Due to their stance, the Daughters of Nemesis often become targets of threats and even violent attacks from the far-left.

In this instance, the protest escalated into clashes with anti-fascist militants. Videos from the incident show a group dressed in black, wearing masks and hoods, surrounding and violently assaulting two young men.

🔴 Mort de Quentin Deranque : de nouvelles informations viennent contredire la version relayée massivement dans les médias.

Le Canard enchaîné a publié une vidéo et des témoignages indiquant qu’il s’agissait bien d’une rixe opposant un groupe de fascistes armés avec un groupe… pic.twitter.com/SVtMvBIbA3

— Glupatate (@Glupatate) February 17, 2026

They kicked and punched the victims while they lay on the ground, with one instance showing an extreme kick to the head.

Quentin Deranque sustained multiple violent blows to the head. He managed to walk away from the scene but collapsed shortly thereafter. He was taken to the hospital, fell into a coma, and later died.

The Lyon prosecutor’s office announced his death on Saturday. The investigation, initially launched for serious violent crime, is now ongoing for aggravated assault resulting in death and violent crime. At least six individuals attacked the young man while he lay on the ground.

“He had no chance of surviving. The blows were inflicted while he was on the ground. Several kicks struck his skull, which were likely fatal. But ultimately, it is not surprising, given the violence and the determination of the lynching individuals, to say what it is. We are dealing with a crime,” stated the lawyer for the deceased’s family, emphasizing that the victim was neither a security guard nor part of a security service and had no criminal record.

Alice Cordier, president of the Nemesis collective, claimed that Quentin was attacked by anti-fascist activists, some of whom were members of the Young Guard, a group founded by LFI representative Raphaël Arnault that was dissolved in 2025 due to violent acts. A parliamentary assistant from the party was also identified at the scene.

The Lyon murder has sparked a wave of political reactions: government ministers directly blamed the far-left, while La France Insoumise (LFI) denied any responsibility and condemned what it termed manipulative attempts, according to Brussels Signal.

Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin stated unequivocally: “It is clear that the far-left killed the boy.” He accused LFI leaders, including MEP Rima Hassan and party president Jean-Luc Mélenchon, of inciting “unrestrained violence” with their rhetoric, adding, “Words can kill.”

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed the accusation on France 2, stating that “it is clear that the far-left was behind this” and highlighted possible connections with the now-dissolved anti-fascist group La Jeune Garde, which he claimed had “close ties” to the LFI. He referred to the attack as “an obvious lynching” on France Inter.

President Emmanuel Macron called for calm, restraint, and respect, writing on X: “Killer hatred has no place among us. I urge calm, restraint, and respect.” He condemned the “unprecedented outbreak of violence” and stressed that no ideology can justify killing in a republic.

Marine Le Pen, leader of the National Rally, condemned the “barbarians responsible for the lynching” and demanded the strictest justice.

Bruno Retailleau, leader of Les Républicains and a presidential candidate, declared that “the far-left is killing,” while government spokesperson Maud Bregeon accused the LFI of bearing “moral responsibility” for the escalating atmosphere of violence. Raphaël Glucksman, leader of Place publique and a close member of the Socialist Party, emphasized that the left must decisively break with the LFI.

Eric Zemmour, leader of Reconquête, stated that this is not a sign of a social problem but “merely reflects the far-left violence that has existed since the revolution and the communists. The state must stop these militias, condemn them, and permanently dissolve the Jeune Garde. We must no longer tolerate these people!”

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, leader of the LFI, expressed his “sympathy and condolences” to the victim’s family, emphasizing that they had “nothing to do with this affair.”

Matan de una paliza a un activista francés de ultraderecha

La Fiscalía abrió una investigación por „homicidio voluntario”. La ultraderecha culpa al grupo de izquierda radical Joven Guardia del asesinato de Quentin Deranque, estudiante de 23 años, organización disuelta por el… pic.twitter.com/gKfNi0gJNr

— DW Español (@dw_espanol) February 17, 2026