France's national anti-terror prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into a Corsican nationalist group following threats made against people who are not from Corsica, according to CNews.
The probe targets the FLNC-UC faction, which issued the warnings during a clandestine press conference, as reported by multiple French outlets including CNews, Le Monde, and franceinfo.
The group's statements included threats against "foreigners," a category it defined to include French citizens who are not Corsican, franceinfo reports. The threats mark a sharp escalation in rhetoric from the group, which has historically framed its actions around Corsican independence rather than targeting non-residents specifically.
During the same clandestine press conference, the FLNC-UC also criticized Corsica's proposed autonomy project, describing it as a "masquerade" and a "serious fault," according to Corse Matin. The group's rejection of the autonomy plan aligns with its long-standing demand for full independence from France, but the explicit threats against non-Corsicans represent a notable shift in tone.
The FLNC-UC is one of several factions operating under the FLNC umbrella, a nationalist movement with a history of violent action in pursuit of Corsican independence, BFM notes. The group has been linked to bombings and other attacks targeting French state infrastructure on the island.
The investigation by the anti-terror prosecutor's office signals that French authorities view the threats as a potential terrorism matter rather than a routine criminal case. The move comes amid ongoing tensions between Paris and Corsican leaders over the island's political future.
Watch for whether the investigation leads to arrests or formal charges against specific individuals linked to the group, and how Corsican political leaders respond to the escalation.
