Lyon - A 23-year old French national, identified only as Quentin, died following a brutal attack by far-left group in Lyon, French on Saturday, 14 February 2026, according to witnesses, increasing tension between French's far-right and hard-left factions.
Following the deadly attack, French President Emmanuel Macron urged all parties to remain calm and restrain.
Quentin was beaten until unconscious at a demonstration that was attended by Rima Hassas who is France Insoumise member of the European Parliament, near the Institute if Political Studies in Lyon, France on Thursday, 12 February 2026.
He was taken to hospital in critical condition, where he was diagnosed with a brain hemorrhage. His condition was initially described as “between life and death,” but he later died from the injuries.
Eyewitnesses said Quentin tried to take an informal security role and tried to defending a woman when the incident took place. Based on eyewitnesses, Quentin and his companion were followed by an Antifa-style group, who then attacked them in a side of the street.
The deadly attack increased tension between members of an anti islamist-left group called Némésis, that has members in various universities in French, and anti-fascist groups, which later turned into violence.
Authorities have been investigatingn the incident. ***
