Masked gunmen from the Corsican National Liberation Front-Union of Combatants (FLNC-UC) have issued a stark warning to tourists and second-home buyers: stay away from the island. In a video, around a dozen armed and hooded members of the separatist group directed their message at people moving to Corsica, a French island popular with British tourists.
Warning to tourists and second-home buyers
The group, which seeks independence from France, said those buying second homes in Corsica “shouldn’t feel safe” and described the influx of people as “rampant settlement-driven colonisation”. One man, believed to be the group’s leader, said: “Until our national rights are recognised and respected, we have only one message for them: stay at home.”
Investigation opened
French anti-terror prosecutors have opened a preliminary investigation after the video surfaced, according to rfi.fr. The National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office said the investigation concerns suspected conspiracy to commit terrorist acts. The FLNC-UC also rejected the island’s proposed autonomy deal.
The constitutional bill, which aims to give Corsica greater autonomy, was approved by the National Assembly on 23 June and is due to be examined by the Senate from 21 October. The bill recognises Corsica as a distinct historical, linguistic and cultural community and would grant its local assembly greater powers, but would keep the island part of France.
