The grave of Jean-Marie Le Pen, one of France’s most prominent post-war far-right politicians, was vandalized in the town of La Trinité-sur-Mer in eastern France.
The incident was confirmed by his family on Friday, according to AFP.Le Pen’s eldest daughter, Marie-Caroline Le Pen, shared a photo of the damage on social media platform X. The image showed a shattered stone cross that once adorned his grave.
“The desecration of Jean-Marie Le Pen’s grave is a vile act committed by individuals who respect neither the living nor the dead,” said Jordan Bardella, leader of the National Rally (RN) party. He expressed confidence that those responsible would be justly punished.
Jean-Marie Le Pen passed away on January 7 at the age of 96. The former leader and founder of the far-right National Front (later rebranded as National Rally) had spent the weeks prior to his death in a care facility. Following news of his passing, street celebrations broke out in some French cities, including Paris, noted AFP.
At the time of his death, Le Pen was involved in an ongoing trial alongside his daughter, Marine Le Pen. Prosecutors accused them and other RN officials of creating fictitious jobs in the European Parliament. The case, which involves 27 defendants excluding Le Pen himself, is expected to conclude with a verdict on March 31, 2025.
