France to shut down ultra right-wing group after death of student

French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault ordered for the Revolutionary Nationalist Youth (JNR) to be dissolved for the group’s connection to the death of left-wing student, Clement Meric.

Meric, 18 (pictured below in red shirt and handkerchief), was beaten in a street brawl between right-wing and anti-fascist activists in Paris on Wednesday, according to the BBC. He died the next day due to head injuries sustained in the brawl.

Paris Prosecutor Francois Molins said the two activist groups encountered each other by chance in a busy shopping district by St. Lazare train station.

The arrested members of the JNR claim they responded to provocation from the liberal group.

Ayrault asked the steps be taken “immediately” to dissolve the group, reports FRANCE 24.

The JNR is a militant branch of right-wing group the “Third Way.”

Several members of the JNR have been arrested, including four men and one woman aged 19 to 32. The prime suspect, named Esteban, is being investigated for murder.

The group’s leader, Serge Ayoub, who has not been arrested, denied that the JNR had any involvement in Meric’s death.

"The Revolutionary Nationalist Youths are in no way implicated by the police in this case ... None have been questioned by police," said Ayoub, according to Reuters.

Above, protesters gather to honor Meric.

Images: Twitter, Mediapart Twitter

WordPress › Error

There has been a critical error on your website.

Learn more about debugging in WordPress.