Remarks on cycle classes of sections of the arithmetic fundamental group

Given a smooth and separated K(pi,1) variety X over a field k, we associate a cycle class in etale cohomology with compact supports to any continuous section of the natural map from the arithmetic fundamental group of X to the absolute Galois group of k. We discuss the algebraicity of this class in the case of curves over p-adic fields, and deduce in particular a new proof of Stixs theorem according to which the index of a curve X over a p-adic field k must be a power of p as soon as the natural map from the arithmetic fundamental group of X to the absolute Galois group of k admits a section. Finally, an etale adaptation of Beilinsons geometrization of the pronilpotent completion of the topological fundamental group allows us to lift this cycle class in suitable cohomology groups.