Three weeks after his burial, the grave of Jean-Marie Le Pen, the French right-wing politician, was vandalised. The vandalism was noticed on Friday, and the authorities immediately launched an investigation to identify the perpetrators.
In their statement, local authorities emphasised that, due to the politician’s divisive legacy, the funeral was handled with “special political sensitivity”. Accordingly, the cemetery was secured with heightened police presence before and after the farewell on 11 January, but these measures were subsequently reduced.
Following the grave being smashed, the authorities ordered reinforced patrolling in the cemetery area once again due to the “exceptional nature of the attack”. The police are investigating the case but have not yet disclosed whether there are any suspects.
Pas de mot pour qualifier les individus qui s’attaquent à ce qu’il y a de plus sacré. Ceux qui s’attaquent aux morts sont capables du pire contre les vivants. pic.twitter.com/KjmDrsxOzc
The founder and former president of the French National Front (FN) was known for his views against immigration and multiculturalism. Le Pen died at the age of 96 on 7 January and his final resting place is in the family vault in the Breton port town of Trinité-sur-Mer.
