Frédéric Michel, edited by Juline Garnier 2:12 p.m., March 22, 2022, modified at 2:12 p.m., March 22, 2022

The Corsican independence activist died Monday evening as a result of his attack in prison by a fellow jihadist prisoner.

After several weeks of demonstrations in Corsica, the demonstrators wished to collect themselves, in peace.

Several dozen people gathered all over the island.

REPORT

The authorities feared the announcement of the death of the assassin of the prefect Érignac, killed in 1998. For several weeks, the aggression of Yvan Colonna has inflamed the Island of Beauty, with many tensions during the demonstrations between the youth Corsica and the forces of order.

But since his death on Monday evening, Corsica seems to have calmed down, the time to gather.

On the island, mourning and death are traditionally highly respected.

A calm that reflects the wish expressed by the Colonna family.

As soon as the death was announced, several dozen people gathered all over the island, lighting candles and saying prayers.

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"It's part of our history"

Tuesday morning, the high school students decided to show their emotion by parading in the streets of Ajaccio and by praying on the forecourt of the cathedral.

"We didn't know Yvan Colonna. Most of the people who are here weren't born, but it's part of our history", explains one of them.

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"He is a figure of the Corsican people who is now deceased. So it is very important for us to find ourselves today in peace so that we can support Yvan Colonna and his family", completes another young.

These young people grew up with the history of the Corsican separatist and that of his legal case and according to them, it was important to respect this period of mourning.

Yvan Colonna, "martyr of the Corsican cause"

Yvan Colonna is described as a "martyr of the Corsican cause" by this mobilized island youth.

A message that can also be observed on a banner hung on the gates of the prefecture of Ajaccio.

"It's time for meditation. What can happen next, I don't think anyone has the key," says Angela, a teacher, before being interrupted by the Dio, the Corsican anthem. 

For the moment, no information has been communicated for the exact date of the funeral of Yvan Colonna.

The government spokesman also promised that "all the light will be shed" about his attack.