Three Arrested in Corsica Amidst Renewed FLNC Activity
AJACCIO, Corsica – French authorities have arrested three individuals in Corsica as part of an anti-terrorism examination following the reappearance of the Corsican nationalist group, the FLNC. The arrests, confirmed by the Bastia prosecutor’s office on March 1, 2024, come after the distribution of leaflets signed by the FLNC at a student union assembly on February 28, 2024.
The detentions signal a heightened response to a resurgence of support for the clandestine association, occurring against a backdrop of ongoing discussions regarding greater autonomy for Corsica. The FLNC’s recent actions-including a call for students to “join the clandestine action”-have raised concerns about a potential escalation of violence on the island, especially as they followed closely after the second anniversary of Yvan Colonna’s death in prison and meetings between Corsican leaders and Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin.
According to reports, two hooded men addressed attendees of an evening event hosted by the pro-independence student union Ghjuventù Indipendentista (Jeunesse independiste), while leaflets were circulated. The text within the leaflets asserted that “the FLNC remains the main tool for the emancipation of the corsican people.”
The investigation was launched following a complaint filed by the Bastia prosecutor, Jean-Philippe Navarre, focusing on potential “apology of terrorism.” The FLNC first emerged in 1976, initiating a campaign of attacks during a period known as the “blue night.” Over the decades, the group has fragmented and reformed, becoming a complex and elusive network.The current investigation aims to determine the extent of the FLNC’s renewed activity and prevent further destabilization of the region.
