Brigitte Macron's nephew assaulted after French president gives television interview

By Gizem Taskin Nicollet

PARIS (AA) - The great-nephew of French first lady Brigitte Macron was attacked shortly after President Emmanuel Macron completed a televised interview.

The incident occurred amid the backdrop of public dissatisfaction with Macron's pension reform, which includes raising the retirement age from 62 to 64.

Police and family confirmed Tuesday that Jean-Baptiste Trogneux, who manages the family's main chocolate shop in Amiens in northern France, was assaulted in a politically-motivated act by a group late Monday, resulting in injuries.

Jean-Alexandre Trogneux said assailants targeted his son’s arms, head, and legs while hurling insults at the president and his family.

“He was assaulted because he is our great-nephew," the president said Tuesday as he arrived in Iceland for a Council of Europe summit. "I consider these actions absolutely unacceptable, violence has no place in a democracy.”

Law enforcement was notified about the incident by a neighbor following the conclusion of Macron’s interview late Monday, according to a police source who spoke to BFM TV.

Eight people have been arrested. The elder Trogneux said the assailants were six men and two women.

For six generations, Brigitte Macron's family has operated the Jean Trogneux chocolate shop, located in the heart of her hometown of Amiens.