French court frees suspected anti-fascist's murderer ahead of trial

A French appeal court has freed the prime suspect in the 2013 murder of an anti-fascist campaigner. Far-right activist Esteban Morillo has admitted hitting Clément Méric during an altercation between right-wing skinheads and anti-fascists in June 2013 in Paris.

Anti-fascists pay tribute to Clément Méric. Reuters/Charles Platiau

Morillo, a sympathiser of the far-right group Troisième Voie which was banned by the French government after Méric’s death, has acknowledged that he punched the 18-year-old student twice in his face.

But he denies charges that he used a kunckle-duster during the fight.

Morillo’s lawyers had asked several times for the release of their client, who has been in pretrial detention for 15 months.

They lodged an appeal on 18 August after a lower court turned down their request.

The Paris appeal court overturned the judges’ decision and ordered Morillo's release.

But he will be under tight court supervision.

He will have to report to police regularly and his travel rights are limited.

Another suspect in Méric’s murder was also released two and a half months ago.

Samuel Dufour, also a Troisième Voie sympathiser, denies hitting Méric, a claim which has been confirmed by one of Méric’s comrade who was present at the time.

Two other skinheads have also been charged in connection with the case.