Far-right group triggers clashes in Montpellier during 24 October demonstration
Around fifteen far-right activists provoked confrontations at Place de la Comédie in Montpellier. The mayor and the Interior Minister condemned their actions.
Far-right militia at the heart of 24 October violence in Montpellier
Around fifteen men claiming to be far-right activists caused disturbances during the Saturday 24 October demonstration in Montpellier, according to midilibre.fr. Their presence at Place de la Comédie triggered a series of sporadic clashes that continued until mid-evening.
The group, comprising around ten muscular men bearing a distinctive white insignia, had initially positioned themselves outside the shuttered window of the Footlocker shop. Spotted by demonstrators, the individuals were pursued and forced to retreat towards a line of riot police at the bottom of Rue de la Loge. Blows were exchanged, glass bottles were thrown, before a volley of tear gas grenades dispersed both groups.
Presence announced the day before
On the eve of the demonstration, several encrypted social networks used by demonstrators had warned of the likely arrival of far-right groups wishing to engage directly or participate in a form of "law enforcement", following looting the previous Saturday. From early afternoon on 24 October, around fifteen men had indeed gathered on a café terrace, then at a tram station, to observe the situation — a presence difficult to ignore.
After the incident on Rue de la Loge, the same individuals were spotted at the corner of Place de la Comédie and Rue de Verdun, where insults and exchanges of blows with certain demonstrators took place. A similar scene occurred at the Opéra-Comédie, with the group this time pursued by far-left activists, phones in hand. Around 20:30, the fifteen activists were still visible at Place Saint-Denis and Rue de la Saunerie.
Condemnations from the mayor and minister
From Sunday morning, Montpellier's mayor Michaël Delafosse condemned these actions on X. "A far-right militia used violence against demonstrators yesterday in the streets of Montpellier. In a Republic, no one can use violence against others. I condemn its actions firmly and call for the judiciary to investigate and apprehend the perpetrators. There can be no impunity whatsoever", he wrote.
Delafosse added: "Militias have no place in a Republic. I received images and videos showing people who wanted to take the law into their own hands. This is very serious. I have never seen anything like it." He also announced his decision to refer the matter to the public prosecutor through article 40, as he had already done in 2025 during violence at the Beaux-Arts, so that an investigation would be opened.
On the question of possible complicity within the police forces, the mayor was firm: "I can hardly believe it. But if there is complicity on the part of police officers, sanctions must be taken. They have a duty to set an example. Most of them do their job well, but when there are shortcomings, it is simple: there is what is called dismissal."
On Sunday afternoon, prefect Chantal Mauchet indicated that she had also referred the matter to the public prosecutor "with a view to requesting examination of any potential legal consequences regarding the notion of groups formed to commit violence or directed against certain of these individuals, in the event of characterised violence against persons".
Interior Minister confirms far-right involvement
From Saturday evening at 20:00, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed the involvement of far-right activists in the incidents. "We observed, in at least two cities, Nice and Montpellier, far-right activists seeking to confront far-left activists or in any case to protect shops themselves. This is a first in a demonstration", he declared.
An organiser claims shop protection
One of the protagonists, known on Instagram under the pseudonym Alpharise and named Charlie, had created a platform intended to mobilise volunteers during demonstrations to "protect shops from looters". This Montpellier resident was present in the city centre on 24 October with his group, all wearing a white armband.
While tension remained palpable between demonstrators and his group, positioned back from Place de la Comédie and alongside the riot police, he explained: "This demonstration is a first for me. It allowed us to introduce ourselves to the shop owners, to reassure them, to show them that they are not alone."
Since Saturday, many videos and photos confirming the altercations and the confirmed presence of the group have been distributed online. Several questions remain regarding the scope allowed to these individuals to act in the midst of police forces.
Source: Google News LU FR