“If I see him again, I’LL KILL HIM,” a man identified as Jean-Philipe “N” used these words to threaten renowned Mexican scientist Octavio Paredes after inflicting a beating that is now jeopardizing the researcher’s health. He requires surgery to regain mobility in his arm; the procedure could cause irreversible neurological damage.
The incident occurred on May 4, while the biochemical engineer was walking one of his dogs at the Santa Margarita Golf Course, located in the municipality of Irapuato, Guanajuato. The dog instantly approached the property of a French man, who attacked Paredes until he was unconscious, according to Alex Paredes Saharopulos, the victim’s son.
This is yet another case of a foreigner attacking Mexicans on Mexican soil. Other incidents have been reported, for example, in Yucatán, where Catalan pseudo-activist Joan Serra Montagut attacked a cafeteria employee because of the volume of the music. In other cases, citizens from other countries currently living in Mexico have been recorded blocking public access to beaches or getting upset about cultural expressions such as banda music in Mazatlán. In this case, the arrest of Jean-Philipe “N” has not yet been reported.
The son of the Mexican scientist explained that his father, upon noticing his dog approaching the foreigner’s property, where a party was taking place, went to get his pet to get it away from the house, a moment that Jean-Philipe took advantage of to attack Paredes. Without attempting to engage in dialogue, the attacker punched the scientist, who fell to the ground, where the Frenchman continued kicking him until he was unconscious.
When the biochemist, who is a member of the Advisory Council on Sciences of the Presidency of the Republic, regained consciousness, he returned home as best he could and explained the situation to his son, who accompanied him to identify his attacker and recover the tooth he lost due to the blow. However, they were again attacked, now verbally, by the Frenchman, who threatened to kill the scientist.
