Alain Orsoni, a 71-year-old former Corsican separatist leader, was shot and killed at his mother's funeral in the village of Vero. The incident occurred shortly after the service concluded on Monday afternoon in the cemetery. Corsican prosecutor Nicolas Septe stated that Orsoni appeared to have been hit by a long-range shot and died quickly from his injuries.
Organized crime prosecutors on the French island of Corsica, including a newly created national anti-organised crime prosecutor and the Marseille-based specialized regional crime office, are investigating the killing. Authorities believe Orsoni was struck in the chest by a single bullet fired by a gunman lying in wait.
Background
Orsoni, who had been living in exile in Nicaragua for years, was a prominent figure in Corsican society.
- Connections to Crime: A police source noted similarities between this killing and recent gangland murders targeting individuals linked to Orsoni's son, Guy. In 2023, two of Guy Orsoni's associates were shot dead from a distance. Guy Orsoni is currently serving a 13-year sentence for attempted murder related to the Petit Bar gang.
- Separatist Movement: Alain Orsoni became involved in Corsican nationalism in the 1970s. He founded the Movement for Self-Determination (MPA), which secured four seats in 1992 elections, though he couldn't take his seat due to campaign irregularities. He later spent time in jail for various offenses.
- Exile and Return: Amidst internal conflicts among nationalist leaders, Orsoni left Corsica for Central America in 1996. He returned in 2008 to become president of football club AC Ajaccio, a role he held again in 2022 before resigning and returning to exile in Nicaragua in September 2023.
- Prior Threats: Weeks after his return in 2008, police thwarted a plot by the Petit Bar gang to kill him. Orsoni had purchased an armored car in 2008 due to family pressure, following the killings of four associates over two years. He had previously stated in 2012 that he was not afraid of dying.