In France, nine suspects have been arrested on Tuesday in connection with the murder of a young man with right-wing views, further escalating political tensions in the country, LETA reported citing AFP.
The prosecutor in Lyon initially reported the arrest of four suspects, but later announced that five more had been detained.
23-year-old Quentin Déranque died from a severe head injury sustained last Thursday at a rally against the speech of Rima Hasan, a representative of the left-wing extremist party "La France Insoumise" (LFI) and Member of the European Parliament, at the Lyon branch of the Paris Institute of Political Studies. Déranque was among those ensuring order when he was attacked by a group of left-wing extremists.
Déranque was assaulted by at least six people. Six of the detainees are suspected of participating in his beating, while three others are suspected of complicity.
Seven men and two women have been arrested, a source reported, adding that more individuals may be detained in the coming days.
The source noted that among the first four detainees was an assistant to National Assembly member Raphaël Arnaud. Arnaud, representing LFI, stated that he would dismiss this employee.
LFI leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon stated that those who attacked Déranque have disgraced themselves, acting with the obvious intent to kill. "When it comes to violence, whether in defense or attack (...), not all blows are permissible," he added.
Déranque's death is being investigated as murder and aggravated assault, the prosecutor's office reported.
French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin on Sunday accused left-wing extremists of murdering Déranque. He also blamed far-left politicians, including the largest parliamentary left-wing extremist party LFI, for rhetoric that incites violence.
The anti-immigration organization "Nemesis," which opposes violence against Western women, placed the responsibility for Déranque's murder on the anti-fascist youth group "La Jeune Garde," among the founders of which was Raphaël Arnaud before his election to parliament.
"La Jeune Garde," disbanded in June, rejected any involvement in the "tragic events."
