'Ultra-left' blamed for youth's killing that shocked France'Pray for Quentin': the killing of a 23-year-old far-right sympathiser in the French city of Lyon has triggered protestsLYON - France's government said Sunday the "ultra-left" was behind the fatal beating of a French youth aligned with the far right, after the killing inflamed political tension ahead of March local elections. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez echoed the accusation, telling public broadcaster France 2 the "ultra-left" was "clearly at the helm" in the attack. According to the Nemesis collective, which is close to the far right, Quentin was providing security for its protesters and was assaulted by "anti-fascist" activists. - Pre-election tension -The incident has further fuelled tension between France's far right and hard left ahead of municipal elections nationwide in March and the 2027 presidential race. The far right has blamed the killing on la Jeune Garde (Young Guard), an anti-fascist youth offshoot of the LFI.

Source: Bangkok Post February 16, 2026 02:08 UTC