a second collaborator of LFI deputy Raphaël Arnault is without doubt one of the eleven individuals in police custody | EUROtoday

Among the eleven individuals arrested following the dying of far-right activist Quentin Deranque is a second collaborator of MP Raphaël Arnault (La France insoumise, LFI), the Lyon public prosecutor introduced to Franceinfo on Wednesday February 18, in addition to two sources near the investigation at Agence-France Presse (AFP), confirming data from the Parisian.

Tuesday night, 9 individuals have been arrested, together with Jacques-Eli Favrot, additionally a parliamentary assistant to the “rebellious” MP. The day earlier than, Raphaël Arnault introduced that he had taken steps to terminate his contract. Furthermore, Adrian B., the deputy’s former intern, was arrested on Tuesday. According to the AFP, the latter is suspected of getting immediately participated within the violence. Still in accordance with this supply, Robin C., the second collaborator of Raphaël Arnault arrested, is suspected of getting helped Adrian B. to flee the police.

In a press launch revealed late Wednesday afternoon, the Lyon prosecutor’s workplace introduced that the custody of the 9 individuals arrested Tuesday night had been prolonged by twenty-four hours. “Of the eleven people arrested, seven of them are currently in police custody on charges of intentional homicide, aggravated violence in three circumstances with ITT of less than eight days and criminal conspiracy to commit an offense punishable by at least five years of imprisonment”provides the general public prosecutor. “The four other people held in custody are on the charge of providing means to evade searches. »

Quentin Deranque, 23, died last week after his attack by several hooded people, on the sidelines of a conference by MEP Rima Hassan (LFI) at Sciences Po Lyon, where he had come to ensure the security of activists from the Némésis identity collective. A “pitched battle” was declared between “members of the ultra-left and the ultra-right”in accordance with AFP, following which the younger man discovered himself remoted.

Raphaël Arnault is the founding father of the anti-fascist group the Young Guard, on the coronary heart of suspicions within the investigation into the homicide of Quentin Deranque and dissolved in June 2025. Government spokesperson Maud Bregeon known as on Franceinfo LFI on Wednesday“exclude” of his group. Jordan Bardella, president of the National Rally, estimated on Europe 1 and CNews that Raphaël Arnault ought to resign.

For Manuel Bompard, Raphaël Arnault is “absolutely not concerned by the investigation »

In return, Manuel Bompard, coordinator of LFI, accused the government of showing a “absolute contempt for the separation of powers” and affirmed on X that the “rebellious” deputy was not “absolutely not concerned by the current investigation”.

The accusations go far past the case of Raphaël Arnault and goal La France insoumise as an entire. Jean-Luc Mélenchon “has still not understood the extent of the drama”launched the Minister of Justice, Gérald Darmanin, earlier than the Senate on Wednesday, accusing him of “relativism[er] the murder of a young man ». “Hate speech (…) create a climate of violence which leads to tragedies. Their authors cannot absolve themselves of their responsibilities”supported the President of the Senate, Gérard Larcher (Les Républicains, LR), with out naming LFI, earlier than proposing a minute of silence.

Mme Bregeon known as for there to be no “never again an LFI deputy in the National Assembly” whereas the boss of LR, Bruno Retailleau, pleaded in Current values For “draw up a sanitary cordon” across the radical left motion. The day earlier than, the Prime Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, had requested Jean-Luc Mélenchon’s celebration to “do the housework” in his “ranks”.

Read the editorial | Refuse political violence

“We do not approve of violence,” assures Jean-Luc Mélenchon

Attacks additionally come from the left. MEP Raphaël Glucksmann (Place publique) and former socialist president François Hollande judged that there might now not be an alliance with LFI. The second requested the “rebels” to interrupt ” entirely “ any reference to the Young Guard.

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LFI finds itself on the defensive, denouncing a “instrumentalization” of this homicide whereas attempting to distance himself from the anti-fascist group. Jean-Luc Mélenchon acknowledged that his motion had “frequented” the Young Guard, however now insists on their “differences”. “We do not condone violence”he stated. But LFI “does not accept lessons” by Sébastien Lecornu “who, obviously, lost his temper”he attacked.

The “rebels” additionally declare that these accusations have earned them threats. The celebration’s nationwide headquarters in Paris needed to be briefly evacuated on Wednesday as a consequence of a bomb menace and several other municipal candidates say they’re violently attacked on the bottom and on social networks. Manuel Bompard known as on the general public authorities to “guarantee a dignified and healthy democratic debate” and requested to “stop accusing LFI because it can lead”in accordance with him, “intimidation, attacks on offices and premises”.

Read additionally | Article reserved for our subscribers After the dying of Quentin Deranque, LFI’s technique of battle known as into query even throughout the left

The World with AFP

https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2026/02/18/mort-de-quentin-deranque-un-deuxieme-collaborateur-du-depute-lfi-raphael-arnault-fait-partie-des-onze-personnes-en-garde-a-vue_6667293_823448.html