Threats by Corsican separatist group FLNC-UC trigger anti-terrorism inquiry

French anti-terror prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation after armed members of a Corsican separatist group appeared masked at a press conference to reject the island's proposed autonomy deal, and threaten people moving there from mainland France.

The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office said on Thursday that the investigation concerned suspected conspiracy to commit terrorist acts, as well as the acquisition, possession and transport of Category A and B weapons, ammunition or weapon components in connection with a terrorist enterprise.

The press conference held by the Corsican National Liberation Front – Union of Combatants (FLNC-UC) was revealed on Wednesday evening by the regional newspaper Corse-Matin.

Around 15 hooded and armed men reportedly attended the gathering at an undisclosed location and on an unspecified date. Corse-Matin was the only media outlet present.

Corsica autonomy plan clears first hurdle in divided French parliament

Autonomy bill rejected 

The group strongly rejected the constitutional bill intended to give Corsica greater autonomy within the French Republic, describing it as a “farce”.

The bill was approved by the National Assembly on 23 June and is due to be examined by the Senate from 21 October.

Its proposals would recognise Corsica as a distinct historical, linguistic and cultural community and grant its local assembly greater powers, while keeping the Mediterranean island within the French Republic.

However, the FLNC-UC said the bill amounted to a denial of the Corsican people's existence and failed to address the main demands of the nationalist movement over recent decades.

The group declared that it was “already in the post-Beauvau era” – a reference to the talks launched by the French government after violent protests in Corsica in 2022.

It also accused nationalist parties supporting the process – including Femu a Corsica, Core in Fronte and the Parti de la nation corse – of misleading the island's population.

Those claiming to represent the nationalist movement while backing the Beauvau process were committing an “unprecedented deception”, the armed group said.

It also criticised what it called “high-ranking manipulators”, Corsican financial interests and anti-Mafia groups, although it did not identify any individuals or organisations by name.

France's Corsica rocked by blasts claimed by separatist group

Threats to new arrivals

The group also directed warnings at people moving to Corsica, particularly from mainland France.

It condemned what it called “settlement colonisation”, claiming that almost 5,000 newcomers arrived on the island each year, either to work or to buy property amid a sharp rise in the number of second homes.

Addressing those it described as “invaders”, the FLNC-UC told them to remain in their "own country" and warned that those who ignored the message should not consider themselves safe in Corsica.

Despite these threats, the organisation said it would continue what it described as unilateral peace efforts and to support initiatives capable of producing a genuine political solution.

The FLNC first emerged in 1976, when it claimed responsibility for 18 attacks during its first coordinated “blue night” – coordinated waves of multiple bomb blasts or arson attacks carried out across Corsica in a single night.

It has since splintered into a complex network shaped by internal rivalries, divisions and realignments.

The latest major wave of attacks claimed by the movement took place in October 2023, when 45 explosions primarily targeted holiday homes, as well as a disused tax office in Ajaccio. No injuries were reported.

(with newswires)