How is Yvan Colonna? The Corsican independence activist media, sentenced to life imprisonment for his participation in the assassination of the prefect Erignac in 1998 in Ajaccio, has been hospitalized since March 2, 2022. While an imbroglio had announced him dead after his attack by a fellow prisoner, he is actually between life and death. His lawyers give news.
Questioned this Tuesday, March 15 on the airwaves of France Inter, master Patrice Spinosi affirmed that the state of health of Yvan Colonna “is still very serious, he never came out of the coma“. He confirmed his care in a medical establishment in Marseille and that he should not, for the time being, be transferred elsewhere. But the lawyer does not hide his deep concern. “Hope exists but it is tenuous (…) The challenge of his return to Corsica will exist if he comes to recover, for the moment he is where he is best treated“, he added.
The day before, his other lawyer, Sylvain Cormier, had for his part mentioned the “vital prognosis involved” of Yvan Colonna, justifying the seizure of justice – with the judge of application of the sentences – to request a suspension of sentence. “Not a favor but only a measure provided by the code“, specified Patrice Spinosi. If it were granted, however, it would only be temporary. “If there is an improvement in his condition, the sentencing judge will have to re-examine the possibility of a possible reincarceration.“, he added. Lawsuits could soon be initiated by the family of Yvan Colonna against the State in order to answer for a fault or a failure of the administration.
As a reminder, it was on the morning of March 2, while he was doing sports exercises in his prison in Arles, that Yvan Colonna was attacked by a fellow prisoner in charge of the household. An unexpected altercation since the Corsican activist had not been talked about for years. Taken into custody, the man who attacked him – a 36-year-old Cameroonian – explained his gesture to the police by referring to “a blasphemy” pronounced by his 61-year-old fellow prisoner towards God according to information from RTL. The perpetrator of the attack is under investigation for attempted murder in connection with a terrorist enterprise.
Since this affair, Corsica has been living to the rhythm of violent demonstrations and the Minister of the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, is expected on the spot on Wednesday March 16.