Killing of far-right activist stokes tensions in France

"The investigation is still ongoing, but the government has already blamed rhetoric from the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party for fuelling the violence that led to his death. The far right has blamed the killing on la Jeune Garde (Young Guard), an anti-fascist youth group co-founded by an LFI lawmaker before he was elected to parliament. The group -- which was dissolved in June -- denied any links to the "tragic events"."

"Lyon's prosecutor was to reveal the findings of his investigation on Monday afternoon. Government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon accused the LFI Monday of having "encouraged a climate of violence for years". "There is therefore -- in light of the political climate and the climate of violence -- a moral responsibility on the part of LFI" for the attack on Thursday, she told television broadcaster BFMTV."

Quentin Deranque, 23, died after being attacked during a far-right protest against a left-wing politician at a university in Lyon. The government accused the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party of fueling a climate of violence that contributed to his death, while the far right blamed la Jeune Garde, an anti-fascist youth group co-founded by an LFI lawmaker. La Jeune Garde denied links to the events. Lyon's prosecutor was expected to reveal investigation findings. Government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon said LFI had encouraged violence for years and bore moral responsibility. Raphael Glucksmann criticized any left alliance with LFI. A probe source reported a pitched battle between factions.

Read at The Local France