PARIS – A private WhatsApp group used by instructors at Sciences Po Paris, France’s prestigious Institute of Political Studies, has become the focus of controversy after Le Figaro newspaper reported that several professors appeared to justify the recent fatal assault on student Quentin Deranque. The exchanges, which took place over the past week, reportedly minimized the severity of the attack and, in some instances, suggested Deranque and his companions were responsible for provoking the violence.
Deranque, 23, a mathematics student and identified as a far-right nationalist activist, died in a Lyon hospital on Saturday, February 14th, two days after being beaten by a group of individuals. According to a statement from Lyon state prosecutor Thierry Dran, the autopsy revealed fatal damage to his skull and brain, sustained from being kicked and punched by “at least six” people. The assault occurred after a confrontation between groups following a protest by a hard-right feminist collective, Némésis, which Deranque supported.
Le Figaro reported that within the “Débats Privés Enseignants ScPo” WhatsApp group – which includes over 250 Sciences Po instructors – Deranque was labeled with derogatory terms such as “néonazi” and “nazillon.” The newspaper’s reporting indicates that some professors used these labels to support arguments minimizing the gravity of his death, suggesting he and his associates “had what they were looking for.”
The revelations come as French authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Deranque’s death. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has publicly blamed “far-left” militants for the attack, calling it a “mob-killing.” Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin stated unequivocally, “it is the far-left that killed him. Of that there is no question.” As of February 21st, 2026, eleven individuals have been arrested in connection with the case, according to the Associated Press.
Deranque’s affiliations included the neo-fascist group Allobroges Bourgoin, based in Isère, and prior membership in Action Française, according to Mediapart. The incident has sparked widespread debate in France, with the government facing pressure to address rising political tensions and violence. The focus on the WhatsApp exchanges at Sciences Po adds another layer to the controversy, raising questions about the impartiality and potential biases within the academic institution.
Sciences Po Paris has not yet issued a public statement addressing the reported comments made by its instructors. Investigations are ongoing to identify all individuals involved in the assault, and no further arrests have been announced.
