February 16, New Delhi – France's government said on Sunday that the "ultra-left" was responsible for the fatal beating of a French youth who was associated with the far-right, following the incident which had inflamed political tensions ahead of the March local elections.
Hundreds of protesters in Paris called for justice for an activist who died from injuries sustained during a beating in Lyon.
The victim, 23-year-old Quentin Deranque, died from his injuries after being attacked on Thursday at a protest against a left-wing politician in the southeastern city of Lyon.
French President Emmanuel Macron urged calm and restraint following the incident, which has become a major political flashpoint.
The incident has further fueled tensions between France's far-right and hard-left ahead of municipal elections nationwide in March and the 2027 presidential race.