Jaune Garde, the far-left organization implicated in the Lyon crime that is in the orbit of Mélenchon’s party

In total, Among the eleven detained, there are five members of the Jaune Gardea far-left group that calls itself “anti-fascist”, known in France for its active militancy in demonstrations and direct actions against right-wing identity groups.

This brutal crime suffered by Deranque has further polarized French societyin a country accustomed to living in a climate of high tension in the streets, where clashes between radicals of diverse ideologies are common.

In this context, The extreme left organization, the Jaune Garde, is the main one accused of the murder. committed in Lyon, an association that defines itself as a youth group committed “against fascism and racism.”

Was founded in 2018 in Lyon by a collective of young activistswho call themselves anti-fascist, always linked to extreme left ideology. Among the reasons why it was created, its founders alluded to a response to the “increase in violence by the extreme right.”

Since then, this group has been involved in confrontations with French far-right activists, especially in university contexts or political protests.

The actions of the radical organization led to it being outlawed by the French Government. headed by Emmanuel Macronwhen the dissolution of La Jeune Garde was announced in June 2025 along with other radical groups, such as the far-right Lyon Populaire.

The authorities argued that, despite its ‘antifa’ nature, the actions linked to the group were outside the legality of peaceful political action, which is why for the Ministry of the Interior the organization “contravened public order” and was banned to preserve security.

A co-founding deputy

Among the ‘anti-fascist members’ who promoted the creation of this organization, the name of Raphaël Arnaultdeputy of La Francia Insumisa (LFI), the far-left political formation led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon.

Arnault is a young far-left politician who co-founded the anti-fascist collective Jeune Garde in January 2018, with the idea of ​​”opposing extreme right groups” through different protest actions in the streets and mobilization.

At present it is parliamentarian of the radical LFI, for Vaucluseintegrated into the left alliance New Popular Front. Arnault, for his part, has described the homicide as horrific and has requested that the weight of the law fall on the young man’s murderers.

However, this initial idea emerged in a combative style, leading the group’s members to engage in street confrontations with far-right groups in political protests, which in some cases led to physical attacks.

In 2024, eight activists linked to the radical movement were charged for allegedly attacking a 15-year-old minor in the Paris metro after a political event linked to the conflict between Palestine and Israel, which contributed to the perception of a militant and violent style.

These events contributed to the organization being flagged by the Ministry of the Interior, which led to its subsequent outlawing.

The Jeune Garde, which was dissolved in June, has denied any link to the “tragic events”while awaiting a judicial resolution that “allows them to continue their anti-fascist activity.”

Links with LFI

Although there is an indirect link between LFI, the left-wing radical Jean-Luc Mélenchon and the youth collective La Jeune Garde Antifasciste, it is worth qualifying this connection.

This link is especially marked by ideological coincidence. According to media such as The WorldMélenchon, together with two other deputies from the radical left, Manuel Bompard y Sebastien Deloguattended the La Jeune Garde summer camp in 2023.

A meeting that the youth organization itself published on social networks, as shown in the previous publication on Instagram.

That relationship between LFI and La Jeune Garde became more visible when Raphaël Arnault, one of the founders of the radical organizationwas later invested as a LFI candidate and elected deputy in 2024.

In any case, the veteran leader, candidate for the presidency of the Republic up to four times, Jean-Luc Mélenchon distanced himself from any aggressive activity and noted that his political formation is “hostile” to any form of physical violence.

After learning of the murder, he expressed his regret for the terrible murder and expressed his condolences to Deranque’s relatives. This has not prevented the rest of the parliamentary forces from pointing out LFI for the wave of violence that is being experienced in France.

From the executive, they have described the political formation as “extreme left” and have warned that “we do not fight the extreme right, supporting the extreme left.”

In parallel, authorized voices from the socialist ranks, such as that of François Hollandewho was president during the period 2012-2017 and current deputy, has warned that “the electoral coalition is broken” ahead of the municipal elections in March.