A 23-year-ancient man, identified as Quentin D., died Saturday after being attacked in Lyon, France, on Thursday, February 12th, during a confrontation linked to a conference featuring Rima Hassan, a member of the European Parliament for La France Insoumise (LFI). The Lyon prosecutor’s office confirmed the death, stating the investigation is now being pursued under charges of aggravated manslaughter, in addition to aggravated violence.
The attack occurred on the sidelines of a public meeting held by Hassan at the Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po) in Lyon. According to the prosecutor’s office, Quentin D. Was a member of the security team for Collectif Némésis, a right-wing group that was protesting Hassan’s visit. He sustained severe head injuries and was hospitalized in critical condition before succumbing to his injuries.
Initial reports indicate that members of Collectif Némésis were confronted by other activists earlier in the afternoon, around 5:40 PM local time, before the attack. Two hours later, emergency services found Quentin D. Seriously wounded with head trauma on Quai Fulchiron in the 5th arrondissement. Sources indicate Quentin D. Had a background in right-wing activism, having been involved with the Action Française.
French President Emmanuel Macron issued a statement calling for “calm, restraint and respect” following Quentin D.’s death, expressing his condolences to the family and loved ones. “In the Republic, no cause, no ideology will ever justify killing,” Macron stated on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Rima Hassan also condemned the violence, though details of her specific statement were not immediately available. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a leader of LFI, lamented what he described as attacks on LFI offices across the country following accusations leveled against the party in the wake of the incident. Mélenchon attributed these accusations to calls from political opponents, specifically naming Retailleau and Le Pen, and asserted they were exploiting the tragedy.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have yet to identify the perpetrators of the attack.
