Murder of right-wing activist in France, mass protests expected

In France, rallies and marches are planned in several cities over the weekend in response to the murder of 23-year-old Quentin Drank, who was beaten to death in Lyon last week.

To date, 11 people have been detained on suspicion of involvement in the beating of Dranka. The investigation is ongoing.

The actions were announced by both right-wing movements and their opponents. Police are on high alert due to the high likelihood of clashes, AFP notes.

French President Emmanuel Macron called on demonstrators to remain “calm,” stressing that “no violence is legitimate.”

Feminist right-wing group Nemesis said Drunk was acting as a security guard for their actions. A number of French media outlets call Quentin Drank an “ultra-right activist.” The victim’s family insists that he was not a member of any organization.

According to the investigation, Quentin Drunk received fatal injuries during a protest against the politician of Palestinian origin Rima Hassan, a European deputy from the Unconquered France party, one of the participants in the so-called “Sumud flotilla” (aka “Freedom Flotilla”), which tried to break the naval blockade of Gaza in 2025.