Investigation Deepens into Quentin Deranque’s Murder with 11 in Custody Amid Political Turmoil

The investigation into the death of 23-year-old nationalist militant Quentin Deranque has intensified with the arrest of two more individuals on February 18, bringing the total number of people in custody to 11. The arrests stem from coordinated operations across Lyon and surrounding regions, including Haute-Loire, Drôme, and Aisne. Among those detained is Jacques-Élie Favrot, a parliamentary assistant to LFI deputy Raphaël Arnault, who has since begun the process to terminate his contract.

According to Lyon prosecutor Thierry Dran, the male suspect is believed to have a direct involvement in the violence that led to Deranque’s fatal head injury, while his partner allegedly helped him evade justice. Of the arrested group, six are suspected of direct participation in the attack, and three others of providing support. Several suspects are registered with S-files, marking them as potential threats to national security.

Deranque was attacked by masked assailants on February 12 during an event featuring LFI MEP Rima Hassan at Sciences Po Lyon, where he was ensuring safety for members of the identity collective Némésis. He succumbed to a severe head injury two days later. The arrest of Favrot, connected to the left-wing group La France Insoumise (LFI) and the antifascist organization Jeune Garde, has added a political dimension to the case.

Meanwhile, public order concerns have escalated. A memorial rally planned by the nationalist student group La Cocarde étudiante in Nantes to honor Deranque was banned by the Loire-Atlantique prefecture over fears of violent confrontations between rival extremist groups. Authorities anticipated attendance of 150 to 200 nationalist and antifascist demonstrators, prompting heightened security measures.

This investigation unfolds against the backdrop of politically charged tensions ahead of France’s municipal elections in March 2026, with scrutiny intensifying on connections between political actors and extremist groups. The incident has also sparked broader political disputes, including defamation lawsuits in Paris related to intimidation claims.

As of February 18, all 11 suspects remain in custody, with investigators conducting extensive questioning that can last up to 48 hours, while the judicial inquiry continues to probe both the circumstances of the attack and the political ramifications tied to Deranque’s murder.