Protesters beheaded Macron

French authorities opened a probe into a performance during which an effigy of French President Emmanuel Macron was beheaded by Yellow Vest protesters in the city of Angouleme, Charente, on December 21, the day the president celebrated his 41st birthday.

During the performance, protesters dragged a human-sized doll with an eyeless effigy of Macron attached to its head onto a sports field. A man dressed as an executioner then entered the arena and beheaded the doll with a large axe. Following the mock execution, the doll's head — with the effigy still in place — was placed on a spike. The remainder of the doll was reportedly burned.

Photos of the performance immediately became viral across French media and social media, catching the attention of authorities.