For him, there is “a serious risk that the gathering could convey messages of incitement to violence or hatred likely to jeopardize national cohesion”. The prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes issued an order to prohibit a mobilization planned for this Friday evening in Nice in memory of Thomas, the young man killed during a village ball in Crépol (Drôme), and initiated by a former member of the movement far-right “Identity Generation”, dissolved in 2021.
In his text, the prefect recalls that “Mr. Gaëtan Le Mouillour, organizer of the gathering” was part of this “association [qui] promoted […] an ideology inciting hatred, violence or discrimination against individuals because of their origin, race or religion.”
“Antagonistic groups eager to fight”
Citing the serious excesses observed during previous gatherings in Lyon and Romans-sur-Isère, Hugues Moutouh said he feared that “the call to demonstrate [puisse] concomitantly attract antagonistic groups wishing to do battle.”
The investigation into “organized gang murder” opened in Valencia after Thomas’ death resulted in the indictment of nine young people, including three minors. Six were placed in pre-trial detention. Photos with identities presented as those of the Crépol attackers were widely distributed by ultra-right accounts calling for revenge, particularly against the Monnaie district, in Romans-sur-Isère, where they are believed to have come from.