Overview
- Thousands marched simultaneously in Ajaccio and Bastia under the banner “Assassins, mafiosi, out,” with turnout estimated at about 1,700 by police and roughly 3,000 by organizers.
- Prosecutors in Bastia and Ajaccio announced a strategy of “harassing criminal groups,” multiplying investigations and administrative checks targeting sea excursions, public works and restaurants.
- Prefects engaged the demonstrators, pledging tailored support for exposed businesses, training for public servants and tighter administration‑justice coordination to confront mafia hold over the economy.
- The protests were led by a new ‘coordination antimafia’ formed in September that unites collectives, unions and environmental groups, and drew visible political support including Corsican executive leader Gilles Simeoni.
- Authorities say Corsica recorded 18 homicides and 16 attempts in 2024, police intelligence tracks about 20 criminal teams, and a new regional anti‑crime pole and an economic‑financial unit are being expanded.