Far-right militants in France have been holding night-time protests in various cities, calling for “Islam out of Europe” in response to recent rioting in Dublin, according to a French intelligence source and far-right Telegram communications. The protests, triggered by the stabbing of a teenager on Nov. 19, aim to sway public opinion on the impact of immigration on crime, said far-right expert Jean-Yves Camus. The murder, which occurred at a village ball in Crepol, has been framed by far-right politicians as an attack on France’s identity, pointing to alleged Arab origins of the assailants. Nine people have been arrested in connection with the killing.
On Monday, hundreds marched in Lyon, Rennes, and Grenoble, while about 100 people marched in Romans-sur-Isere on Saturday near the neighborhood of one of the suspected killers. French intelligence sources have linked the strong reaction in France to the Dublin riots on Nov. 23, which were fueled by far-right groups after three children were stabbed, with messages being shared on far-right Telegram groups praising the incident. These reactions are a new phenomenon, as militants from around the country have mobilized for revenge, according to Camus.
Government spokesperson Olivier Veran visited Crepol on Monday and called for calm, emphasizing a response of justice over violence. More than a dozen march participants have been arrested, and Minister of the Interior Gerald Darmanin has announced plans to shut down three ultra-right and neo-Nazi groups, including one known as the Martel Division based in Paris. Despite the arrests and the intervention by authorities, concerns remain, with Valence prosecutor Laurent de Caigny reporting six to 10 month prison sentences for six individuals taken into custody during the Romans-sur-Isere march and eight arrests in Lyon. The intelligence source estimates about 3,000 violent ultra-right militants identified in France.
The authorities have acted decisively in response to the protests to avoid a scenario like Ireland, as mentioned by Darmanin in an interview with France Inter radio. While the number of violent ultra-right militants has remained stable, the national coordination witnessed in the recent protests is a new phenomenon, according to the intelligence source. The situation continues to be monitored by the authorities, with concerns over potential escalation and coordination among far-right groups.
(Reporting by Layli Foroudi and Juliette Jabkhiro, Editing by William Maclean)
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