French MP Raphaël Arnault Questioned Over Quentin Deranque Death Investigation
French left-wing lawmaker Raphaël Arnault was questioned on October 29, 2026, by counter-terrorism investigators in Paris regarding the February killing of radical far-right militant Quentin Deranque in Lyon, according to a statement from his defense counsel reported by leprogres.fr.
The investigation into Deranque’s death centers on a fatal street brawl between ultra-left and ultra-right militants that occurred near a speaking event hosted by European Parliament member Rima Hassan at Sciences Po Lyon. Deranque suffered severe trauma after being knocked to the ground and beaten by multiple masked assailants. Fourteen individuals have since been placed under formal investigation for murder or complicity, including close associates of Raphaël Arnault.
Lawyer Confirms Lawmaker Appeared for Voluntary Interview
Me Chirinne Ardakani, counsel for Raphaël Arnault, confirmed during a Paris press conference that her client appeared for a voluntary interview at the offices of the Sub-Directorate for Counter-Terrorism, known as the SDAT. As reported by leprogres.fr, the attorney stated that the lawmaker was questioned regarding relatively minor matters covered by the secrecy of the instruction, while firmly rejecting claims that he was heard as a witness. The questioning lasted for several hours, according to a source close to the matter.
In a statement published on the social media platform X, the defense denounced a coordinated political and media campaign of massive defamation, disinformation, and intimidation aimed at criminalizing
Raphaël Arnault. The attorney emphasized that in this case, the lawmaker is neither a party nor involved in any capacity,
and announced that she would organize a press conference in the coming days. The defense maintained that the questioning bore no direct or indirect relation to any acts of violence committed during the incident, nor did it involve preparatory actions aimed at carrying out violence.
The family of Quentin Deranque pursued a different legal track prior to the questioning. Fabien Rajon, counsel for the victim’s family, had formally asked investigating judges to summon Arnault on allegations of criminal association, as reported by france24.com. Arnault co-founded the now-dissolved antifascist group La Jeune Garde, and authorities have noted that certain former members of the group are suspected of direct involvement in the homicide.
Upcoming Judicial Offensives and Municipal Protests in Lyon
Me Ardakani announced an impending judicial offensive targeting alleged violations of instruction secrecy, defamation, and death threats directed at the lawmaker, warning that any attribution of moral, political, or criminal responsibility for the violence would trigger immediate legal complaints. Anyone who attributes any responsibility—that is to say, moral, political, or criminal—to Mr. Arnault in the commission of acts of violence in connection with the case will be systematically targeted by a complaint from us,
Me Ardakani warned.
Meanwhile, local political fallout continues to develop in Lyon. 20minutes.fr reported that National Rally lawmaker Tiffany Joncour formally asked the prefect of the Rhône department to ban a scheduled municipal conference featuring Arnault, which was planned for November 5 in a municipal venue.
French MP Raphaël Arnault Questioned in Quentin Deranque Murder Investigation https://t.co/no63dRXnxq