This decision was expected in Corsica, after the death, on March 22, of Yvan Colonna – an independence activist also sentenced to perpetuity for participation in the assassination of the prefect Erignac in 1998.
Le Monde with AFP
The death of Yvan Colonna last March continues to reshape the cards of the fate of the prisoners of the Erignac commando. The “benefit of semi-freedom” was granted on Thursday May 12, to Pierre Alessandri, sentenced in 2003 to life for the assassination, in Corsica, of the prefect Claude Erignac, we learned from the National Prosecutor’s Office Anti -terrorist (PNAT). The prosecution, which had ten days to make its decision, immediately appealed. “We have just signed the appeal act,” detailed the national anti -terrorist prosecution, adding that this call was suspensive.
The chamber of application of anti-terrorist penalties has spoken out on the request for the development of sentence with semi-liberty regime presented by Pierre Alessandri, detained for twenty-three years. This decision will allow him to work outside the Borgo prison (Haute-Corse) during the day. The development of sentence provides that he works outside during the day and sleeps in the evening at the Borgo penitentiary center.
This decision was expected in Corsica, after the death on March 22 of Yvan Colonna – an independence activist also sentenced to perpetuity for participation in the assassination of the prefect Erignac in 1998 – from his assault by another detainee within the central house of Arles, in the Bouches-du-Rhône.
This is the third time that Pierre Alessandri, 63, made such a request. He had been transferred to Borgo prison (Haute-Corse), on April 11 with Alain Ferrandi, another member of the commando sentenced to perpetuity for the assassination of the prefect Erignac.
In response to its first two requests, in October 2019 and then in July 2021, the tribunal for the anti -terrorist penalties had given its green light, but the PNAT had challenged the decision, then invalidated on appeal. Approved at first instance, on February 24, his sentence development request was immediately struck by a suspensive call from the prosecution.
Pierre Alessandri and Alain Ferrandi, arrested in 1999, had been sentenced in 2003 to life imprisonment, accompanied by a period of safety of eighteen years, for their participation in the assassination of the prefect Claude Erignac February 6, 1998, in Ajaccio. Incarcerated since May 1999, they have been liberable since May 2017.
The decision concerning a similar request for the development of sentence with semi-liberté regime presented by Alain Ferrandi will be rendered on May 19. Their transfer to Corsica, long claimed by their family and elected officials from Corsica and the continent, had been made possible by lifting on March 11, “in a spirit of appeasement”, their status as “particularly reported” detainee ” By the Prime Minister, Jean Castex, ten days after the deadly assault on March 2 of Yvan Colonna.
A “particularly reported prisoner” (DPS) is an inmate who presents a particular danger or for which there are risks of escape. Pierre Alessandri’s detention took place without incident, like that of Alain Ferrandi. Before their transfer to Corsica, they were both detained at the central house in Poissy (Yvelines).
Corsica has no central house, the only type of prison structures empowered to accommodate DPS. The assault and then the death of Yvan Colonna had caused strong tensions in Corsica, many believing that it would not have taken place if he had been detained on the island.