LYON, July 28 – Complaints for violence have been filed by two of the individuals charged in the death of radical far-right activist Quentin Deranque in Lyon last February. This information was confirmed to AFP by the lawyer of one of the suspects, corroborating a report by France Inter.
Complaints Target 15 Far-Right Militants
The purpose of filing these complaints is to “become a civil party and gain access to elements” of the investigation, stated Me Bertrand Sayn, lawyer for Jacques-Elie Favrot. Favrot, a former parliamentary assistant for LFI’s Raphaël Arnault, has been charged with complicity in Deranque’s death.
According to France Inter, the complaints accuse 15 far-right militants of “group violence with premeditation, weapons, and face concealment.”
Clashes between far-right and far-left militants preceded the lynching of Deranque, who succumbed to his injuries two days later in the hospital.
Quentin Deranque, a Young Identitarian Beaten to Death
Quentin Deranque, 23, was involved with far-right groups in Lyon. On February 12, he was violently beaten to the ground by several masked individuals. This occurred during a conference by LFI MEP Rima Hassan at Sciences Po Lyon, where Deranque was providing security for activists from the identitarian collective Némésis.
A judicial inquiry, led by three investigating judges, has been opened for “murder, participation in a criminal association, and aggravated violence.” In total, nine people have been charged, including Jacques-Elie Favrot.
Defense Criticizes Lyon Prosecutor’s Handling of the Case
A preliminary investigation, conducted by the public prosecutor’s office, is also underway concerning the violence committed by militants on the same day, the lawyer specified.
“The decision by the Lyon public prosecutor’s office to treat this violence as a preliminary investigation, rather than referring it to the investigating judges who are already seized of the violence that led to Mr. Deranque’s death, deprives, first the investigating judges and at the same time (…) all the lawyers involved for the defendants, of absolutely essential elements for the exercise of defense rights,” Me Sayn argued. He notably mentioned “the exploitation of all telephones.”
He deplores a situation in which the defense cannot “fairly exercise” its rights.
Photos Taken Before the Incident
Photos of the clashes preceding Quentin Deranque’s lynching were taken by territorial intelligence agents who were monitoring far-left militants expected at Rima Hassan’s conference.
Police officers notably photographed militants from the far-left movement, Jeune Garde, equipping themselves with masks, balaclavas, and gloves. Some of these photos were published by BFMTV.
The agents’ photographs helped identify and arrest suspects.
Source: AFP
