Alain Orsoni, a 71-year-old former Corsican nationalist leader, was fatally shot on Monday afternoon in the village of Vero, Corsica, shortly after his mother's funeral service concluded at the cemetery. Orsoni, who had traveled from Nicaragua for the burial, died quickly after being struck by a single bullet fired from a distance.
Incident Details
The shooting occurred in the cemetery following the funeral service. Corsican prosecutor Nicolas Septe stated that Orsoni appeared to have been hit by a long-range shot. Other reports indicated a single shot was fired from nearby scrubland, killing him instantly.
Investigation
The investigation into Orsoni's death is being conducted by specialized prosecutors focusing on organized crime. These include a newly created national anti-organised crime prosecutor, the Marseille-based specialized regional crime office, and specialized judges in Paris. Authorities believe Orsoni was struck in the chest by a single bullet fired by a gunman who was lying in wait.
Alain Orsoni's Background and Nationalist Activities
Alain Orsoni was a prominent figure in Corsican society, involved in Corsican nationalism since the 1970s.
- He founded the Movement for Self-Determination (MPA), which secured four seats in 1992 elections, although he was unable to take his seat due to campaign irregularities.
- He served time in prison for various offenses, including bomb attacks aimed at pressing the French state for greater island autonomy.
- Amidst internal conflicts among nationalist leaders, Orsoni left Corsica for Central America in 1996, where he pursued investments in casinos.
- He returned to Corsica in 2008 to become president of the football club AC Ajaccio. He held this role again in 2022, overseeing the club's promotion to France's top league, Ligue 1, before resigning and returning to exile in Nicaragua in September 2023.
Context of Violence in Corsica
Corsica has recorded 35 fatal shootings in the past three years. The incident involving Orsoni, occurring during a funeral, was highlighted as particularly significant. Jo Peraldi, a friend, remarked on the sacred nature of a cemetery in Corsican culture, while Christian Leca, a cousin, described the event as an "intolerable" escalation of violence.
Thierry Dominici, an expert on Corsican nationalism at the University of Bordeaux, indicated a shift in the nature of violence on the island. He stated that after armed groups ended their campaigns for autonomy, they retained their weapons and subsequently engaged in organized crime. Dominici suggested that previous state focus on separatists may have overlooked these criminal activities, noting that Corsican clans are primarily linked by opportunism rather than strict family ties.
Connections to Organized Crime and Prior Threats
A police source noted similarities between Orsoni's killing and recent gangland murders targeting individuals linked to his son, Guy. In 2023, two of Guy Orsoni's associates were reportedly shot dead from a distance. Guy Orsoni is currently serving a 13-year sentence for attempted murder and drug trafficking, reportedly related to the Petit Bar gang.
Alain Orsoni's family has also been impacted by violence:
- His brother, Guy, was killed by a rival clan in 1983.
- Alain Orsoni himself had survived multiple assassination attempts.
- Weeks after his return in 2008, police thwarted a plot by the Petit Bar gang to kill him.
- He purchased an armored car in 2008 due to family pressure, following the killings of four associates over two years. In 2012, he had stated that he was not afraid of dying.
The nationalist movement itself later diverged into various groups, some of which became involved in activities such as money laundering, extortion, protection rackets, drug trafficking, and violence to secure state contracts.
Official Responses
Gilles Simeoni, the President of Corsica's regional authority, stated that Orsoni's murder contributes to the "mafia pressure" affecting Corsican society. He characterized Orsoni as a notable figure in contemporary Corsican nationalism.