The Paris Court of Appeal examines this Thursday, April 21 the request for adjustment of sentence of Alain Ferrandi, sentenced to life imprisonment in the Érignac case. Back on the case in five points.
The assassination of Prefect Claude Érignac
On February 6, 1998, in Ajaccio, the prefect of Corsica Claude Érignac and his wife, Dominique, must attend a classical music concert at the Kallisté theater. After dropping off Dominique, Claude Érignac parks their car. It was between the parking space and the theater that he was shot, from behind, with three bullets to the head.
The shooter left the weapon near his body, which had been stolen five months earlier, during the hostage-taking of two gendarmes from Pietrosella.
Claude Érignac is the first prefect assassinated in France. The political class as a whole is rising against it. In Corsica, a “dead city” operation is coordinated, then a march, on February 11. It is one of the biggest demonstrations ever organized on the island.
The “Erignac commando”
On February 9, the group “Les Anonymes” claimed responsibility for the attack. But the investigation brings nothing. We have to wait until May 22, 1999, to see the arrests – in front of television cameras – of Alain Ferrandi, Pierre Alessandri, Didier Maranelli and their wives, as well as Marcel Istria. The next day, Joseph Versini and Martin Ottaviani, the commando driver, were arrested. Yvan Colonna fled.
Didier Maranelli ends up giving three other names. He designates Yvan Colonna as the shooter. The other two are Jean Castela and Vincent Andriuzzi.
Alain Ferrandi is one of the three men who set the trap for the prefect. He is the leader of the “Erignac commando”. Yvan Colonna is the shooter, Pierre Alessandri is in charge of covering Colonna.
The trials of the Érignac commando
The majority of the Érignac commando was judged in 2003. Except Yvan Colonna, still on the run. On July 11, 2003, the Court of Assizes in Paris sentenced the eight members present to life imprisonment for Alain Ferrandi and Pierre Alessandri; 30 years in prison for Jean Castela and Vincen Andriuzzi; and sentences ranging from 15 to 25 years in prison for Didier Maranelli, Marcel Istria, Joseph Versini and Martin Ottaviani.
The verdict triggers serial attacks in Corsica.
On July 4, 2003, Yvan Colonna was arrested near Olmeto. His trial took place in Paris in November and December 2007. The Special Assize Court sentenced him on December 13 to life imprisonment. On appeal, in 2009, his conviction was confirmed, with a security period of 22 years for “murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise and association of criminals with a view to preparing acts of terrorism”. In 2010, the Court of Cassation overturned the conviction. However, in 2011, a final trial saw him sentenced to life, this time without a security period.
In 2006, the Assize Court acquitted, on appeal, Jean Castela and Vincent Andriuzzi. The reason ? The records of the interrogations were made up. They remain in prison, but for other attacks.
Where is Alain Ferrandi incarcerated?
With his accomplice Pierre Alessandri, Alain Ferrandi is first imprisoned in the central house of Poissy (Yvelines).
Their families and several elected officials are campaigning for them to be transferred to Corsica. On March 11, the Prime Minister lifted their status as “particularly reported detainees”. This paves the way for relocation. On March 22, 2022, the government announced their transfer on April 11, 2022 to Borgo prison.
What does Alain Ferrandi expect from the Court of Appeal on April 21?
Alain Ferrandi appealed to the Paris Court of Appeal to demand an adjustment of the sentence under a semi-freedom regime at the Corsican prison of Borgo. He would work outside during the day, and return to prison for the night.
This request had been accepted on February 24 at first instance, but had been the subject of a suspensive appeal by the national anti-terrorism prosecution.
Pierre Alessandri made the same request, but will not know the decision until May 12.