French LGBTQ rights leader hospitalised after homophobic attack in Paris

French police officer Pierre Picave, who also serves as the head of a local LGBTQ rights association, was taken to hospital after a nighttime assault in the Marais district of central Paris, prosecutors said on Sunday. The attack left Picave with injuries that required immediate medical attention, and he remains under observation at a Paris hospital.

Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire condemned the incident as a “despicable homophobic attack,” calling it an intolerable act of violence. Police have identified a suspect and the individual has been taken into custody pending further investigation. The incident has prompted calls for heightened security and a reaffirmation of the city’s commitment to protecting LGBTQ members and allies.