Original subtitles

This is a fictional work based on historical events

taking place between 1975 and 2007.

"So I was caught in a subtle trap set by some people…

JANUARY 1996, CLAUDE ERIGNAC WRITES IN HIS DIARY.

…not many of them, I could probably identify them.

The trap was almost unavoidable for a prefect.

My qualities are so great that I am the man needed

for Corsica, according to Debré from the government.

We must therefore go and quickly deal with the many

personal problems this nomination poses for families,

our projects in Lozère,

but by far, this isn't the most important thing.

I'm clearly aware that I'm embarking on an impossible mission

comprised of glaring contradictions between the government's public discourse,

more or less secret negotiations.

Officially, my mission has three goals:

reestablish the state's authority, contribute to the national dialog,

and to make progress in economic, social, and cultural matters.

The problem is that we must also make sure

not to hinder the political process underway

with the three-month truce agreement.

In short, we're spread very thin

which has dreadful consequences.

This is a rundown of my concerns right now.

I don't want to express them too publicly

so as not to discourage Dominique

who is admirably making the best of a bad situation.

I've always preferred to be envied rather than pitied.

And I plan to leave Versailles,

this cushy job I've never liked.

So we're leaving.

I'm keeping in mind that this will only be for 18 months,

the approximate average of my predecessors."

We'll be there in three minutes. Maybe two.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1998

You know I don't like making people wait.

Do you remember the program?

Schubert, Mendelssohn, and Beethoven to finish.

-Which one by Schubert? -"The Unfinished Symphony."

-Hello Claude, Dominique. -I'll be right there.

Thank you, Joseph.

We were expecting you.

I saw two men facing each other.

One wearing a puffer jacket…

JOSEPH COLOMBANI, FRIEND OF THE PREFECT AND CONCERT ORGANIZER

… and a cap pulled down, hair past the ears.

PRIMARY WITNESS TO THE ASSASSINATION

And the other man, Claude Érignac,

I saw him spin to his right, lean forward, almost at a right angle,

and disappeared into the alley.

Then, there was a second gunshot.

With a big cloud of smoke. I saw Claude come out of the cloud

and a man came out of the alley.

Then, with the third gunshot, the prefect collapsed.

The two men came toward him.

NOÉLIE CONTART, EYEWITNESS NO. 2

I thought someone was playing with firecrackers. I slowed down.

I saw a man shooting toward the ground.

In Corsica, people usually shoot into the air.

I'll remember his eyes as long as I live.

MARIE-ANGE CONTART, EYEWITNESS NO. 3

Piercing eyes, and his movements…

Because he was handling his gun as he looked at me.

And even today…

I can't name the two people

I saw that night.

…and keep anyone from getting near, including journalists.

We'll probably find out more later.

Thank you, Jean-Claude Lanfranchi,

you'll get back to us by 10:15 for the latest developments…

The prefect of Corsica was killed in the street

less than an hour ago in Ajaccio.

Claude Érignac, was the Regional Prefect…

Serves him right!

What?

You idiot, they killed a man. The poor guy…

It's a disaster!

We've just learned of the assassination of the prefect of Corsica,

Mr. Claude Érignac.

To show our, I believe, unanimous outrage at this heinous act,

I ask that we interrupt our session

and observe a few moments of silence.

Deadly madness,

the worst kind of politics,

and mafia-like influence,

have armed some people against

what Prefect Claude Érignac represented…

meaning, the state,

of which he was the incarnation and symbol.

We shall not tolerate this.

We need to call on peace. We want peace here.

Because we are a peaceful people.

MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR JEAN-PIERRE CHEVÈNEMENT

My conviction is that the assassins will be arrested.

They will be arrested,

convicted, and punished

as they deserve, meaning, hopefully, without pity.

ROGER MARION, ANTI-TERRORISM CHIEF LEADS THE INVESTIGATION.

That he dialed 06 08 95 74 65 eight times…

11 MONTHS LATER

…starting at 7:30 p.m. from two phones, La Punta and La Poste.

No, three, he was also at Campo dell'Oro.

Maybe they were going to meet up for a pizza.

Have we checked local pizzerias?

Why would you call eight times to meet at a restaurant?

Maybe he was looking for parking.

What's this triangle?

Cell tower triangulation from Kallisté and the prefecture.

Oh, yeah? And can you find my printer while you're at it?

The LaserJet used to communicate the claims.

What language do I need to say it, damn it?

THE RG AND TERRORIST UNIT TARGET 6 MEN

IN THE AREA OF AJACCIO AND CARGÈSE.

Ottaviani, Ferrandi, Jeanny,

Alessandri, Michel,

Istria…

Colonna Stéphane, Colonna Yvan…

Come in! Gilles, wake up!

You have six objectives, you have your teams.

If anyone of you has a problem, you have five seconds to leave the office.

One, two, three, four,

five. So we're looking for,

what I want us to bring back,

is the handling of proof. See, the most important thing

is to hear from Maranelli that he used the cell phone from the Grand Bleu.

And after that, everything will flow.

He took the Colonna brothers off the list at the last minute.

They aren't in the phone records.

-Bullshit! -No, we can't touch

the son of the Socialist MP, that's all.

Okay, Lecorse. Get to work. You too.

-It's rotten but it's from the top. -I'll never understand.

THE NEXT DAY…

MAY 21, 1999 6:00 A.M.

Ring it!

Police.

-Are you Alain Ferrandi? -Yes.

-Born on July 21, 1960 in Bastia? -Yes.

Okay, go!

Police!

No!

Simon Paulu!

-Don't be scared. -Don't touch my son!

Ma'am! Calm down.

Don't touch my son!

Are you Jeanne Ferrandi?

We don't know what floor, only the street address.

Are you kidding me?

They can hear everything.

Call him.

It's ringing.

Is that you?

-You're scaring me. -Good, that's why we're here.

Where is he?

Come here, sweetie.

Hey! Sweetie!

Come on, get up.

Don't move!

Don't move!

Are you Marcel Istria?

Are you Marcel Istria?

-Let's go. -Bastards!

-Police! -Hands up.

-Show your hands! -Don't move!

Sit up.

-Come here. -Get her.

-Don't move. -Calm down.

Calm down. Let her go!

-Let go of her! -Don't move.

Do you want us to notify your family?

Do you require medical attention?

After 72 hours of detention, do you want--

Do you want to meet with an attorney?

Mr. Ferrandi, you are being detained.

For the charge of murder

relating to an individual or collective enterprise…

aimed at seriously disturbing public order

through intimidation or terror

and conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism.

For 16 months, you've been arresting

nationalist activists at every turn without any convictions.

Just for their opinions. It's completely arbitrary.

Acting by virtue…

How many did you arrest this time?

…of the Rogatory Commission.

Issued on February 13, 1998,

by Mr. Jean-Louis Bruguière.

-Where are his clothes? -In the car.

Mr. Ferrandi, is this the only mobile phone you have?

Or cell phone, if you prefer?

-Mr. Ferrandi! -Let me repeat.

I want to meet first with my lawyer Vincent Stagnara

from Bastia.

Passport, driver's license.

Hunting permit, three hunting cards, a gold metal Swatch watch.

Vehicle registration, proof of insurance, keys.

And a Panasonic EBG250 cell phone.

Mr. Maranelli, do you recognize this phone, is it yours?

-Is it yours? -It's the hotel's.

-What hotel? -Le Grand Bleu.

Is it for your personal use?

I sometimes use it for work. Why? What's the problem?

Nothing.

Don't worry.

My son!

Leave my son alone!

Let him go!

Marcel!

Put her all the way back.

Back facing us.

Don't move.

Get out.

No touching or you'll regret it.

Didier!

Don't worry.

It's nothing.

It's nothing.

Marion. Do you remember what I told you on the plane?

-Of course. -The night of the assassination?

Of course.

They attacked France.

The Republic must respond.

And the Republic must be firm yet irreproachable.

-We've wasted too much time. -I'll call you as agreed.

See you soon.

-Name? Age? -Pierre Alessandri.

I'm 40.

I run an essential oil distillery near Cargèse.

Didier Maranelli. I'm 34.

I'm the accountant at Le Grand Bleu hotel near Cargèse.

Ever heard of it?

Name?

Name.

Ferrandi. My name is Alain Ferrandi. I'm 38 years old.

I run the Hertz branch at Ajaccio Airport.

-Marcelu. -Marcel.

Marcelu Istria.

Do you speak French, Mr. Istria?

Do you understand what I'm saying?

You can talk if you want.

My name is Marcel Marius Istria.

I was born on December 8, 1956.

In Aiacciu.

In Ajaccio. To an unknown father and Marie Lucie Istria.

Can I ask why you arrested my wife?

What does she have to do with the murder of a prefect?

Is that why you were arrested?

Come on, basta, that's enough.

I know why I'm here. Do you think I'm stupid?

You've had it in with all the farmers.

You've arrested dozens of farm union members for a year. For what? Nothing?

In truth, the French state is taking advantage

to harass us, the Corsican people.

Go ahead, smile. I know what I said.

Four hundred fifty arrests for nothing. Nothing.

What about the families?

Disorganization on the island. I run a business!

Who'll take care of it now? You?

Why Hertz? What position? What's your job?

In depot in Baleone. I guard the cars.

-Who's your boss? -Mr. Filippi.

Who else?

There's the manager, Ferrandi.

-Alain Ferrandi? -Alanu Ferrandi.

How did you hear about Érignac's death?

I fell asleep watching TV.

When I woke up, they were saying the prefect was dead.

What else?

I lead a quiet life with my wife and daughter.

How long have you been in possession of this work cell phone?

Tell us what you were doing

on the evening of February 6, '98.

Hey.

As if you could remember what you were doing 16 months ago.

If I looked at the TV schedule, I might remember.

Please answer, Mr. Istria, the evening of February 6, '98.

I must have started my shift at the warehouse in Baleone as usual.

Well, that's the most likely story.

-Likely. -Likely.

Isn't that the word, "likely"?

In '84, I was a counselor

at the local South Corsica Young Farmer's center.

I had to take care of the young future farmers.

I was fired in '87.

In '88, I started working on a farm

with a farmer I knew.

I worked there for four years.

We started having money problems so I quit.

You've has a lot of issues at work, Mr. Ferrandi.

Have you never disagreed with your coworkers?

Today, what is your relationship with the Corsican farm union community?

I have no relations.

I've never been part of any organization.

Ninety-five? Why 95? Why did you break with A Cuncolta in 95?

-Reasons. -I like to hear about reasons.

How do you explain it?

We were unfairly accused of an attempted murder

-of a nationalist activist. -Who?

Pierre Poggioli.

The movement didn't follow. I got out of it.

So you've distanced yourself from A Cuncolta.

It was a clean break.

I kept my friends but no political contacts.

I won't answer any more questions about my boss! Okay?

I respect my boss, okay?

Wait, are you saying your boss is Alain Ferrandi?

I can list actions

that have been forgotten over time.

There was a kidnapping in '91.

The Development Commissioner was found tied up

at Ajaccio Airport.

Yes, I was questioned about that.

It didn't go far, as you know.

-No, I don't know. -Three months suspended.

And was Pierre Alessandri involved? You do know Pierre Alessandri?

Pierre Alessandri is a loyal customer and a friend.

He'll say the same thing as me: I condemn any form of violence.

Some kind of flu.

Fever, headache. I treated myself with essential oils.

I was in bed all day.

So I wasn't sleepy in the evening. I turned on the TV.

That's how I found out the prefect had been killed.

Did you call any friends to find out more?

No, I was sick, I told you, both on the 6th and the 7th.

I didn't even go into work at the distillery.

I admit I was in shock. The situation was…

Corsica's situation today.

Or rather, between Corsicans. What does it mean to you?

I'm like any Corsican.

Powerless, I watch the State repressing the island.

And the stupid war between all the nationalists

since the FNLC broke up in '90.

I'm appalled by the situation.

I hope peace will return.

You're taking us for a ride, Mr. Ferrandi.

You're not answering the questions.

The first thing that comes to mind

is that I condemn this criminal act. Like any murder.

-That's not what your wife is saying. -Really?

No.

I know my wife.

-Are you a sympathizer? -Yes.

Do you support the nationalist cause?

Yes.

I don't get it. You're from Lyon.

That doesn't matter.

I understand what my husband is fighting for.

You shoot men in the head.

That's how you settle political disputes.

Swift justice with no trial! Bang!

You blow someone's brains out in a dark alley?

Is that how you envision a free and independent Corsica?

We were watching TV, when suddenly,

Leccia came on to announce the prefect was dead.

Let's now turn it over to Jean-Marc Leccia…

Yes, we're interrupting the program because we've just learned…

How did you react to the news?

Mrs. Ferrandi?

Shock. Astonishment.

We don't do that in Corsica.

We don't shoot an unarmed man.

Mr. Érignac was a respectable man.

What were you doing on the evening of the sixth?

I told you. I was at home watching TV with my husband.

How did your husband react?

Mr. Ferrandi, do you think your and your wife's

statements match up perfectly?

I fully uphold my previous statement.

On the evening of February 6,

I heard on TV that the prefect was dead.

The Corsican prefect was killed

and you didn't talk about it with anyone?

-Is the prefect's death something usual? -I talked to my wife.

She was as shocked as I was.

-And you didn't call anyone? -No.

-And no one called you? -No.

Your husband used his cell phone that night

to talk about the prefect's death.

I don't think so.

Then we went to bed as usual.

Nothing. We ate early and I left to go hunting.

16TH HOUR OF CUSTODY

-Go on. -I left at around eight o'clock.

Not that far. A spot for birds. Fifteen minutes away.

Near Paomia.

-What kind of rifle did you have? -A Benelli.

-You hunt in the dark? -No, with a light.

-Did you shoot anything that night? -No.

-Did anyone see you? -No.

What time did you return home?

Around 9:30. It was cold.

-A half-hour after the prefect was killed? -Yes.

I only heard about that the next day. What a pity, huh? Poor guy.

Yeah. Do you hunt with your cell phone?

Why are you obsessed with cell phones?

Shut up and answer the question.

Yes, I had my phone. I always do.

-Did you use it? -No.

Yes, you did.

No, I didn't use my cell phone.

Why? Is that what my wife said?

Did you try the wedding trick?

No, not yet.

What are you waiting for? Hurry up, damn it.

Do you want to borrow my toolbox?

So when the prefect was killed, your husband was hunting.

That's what he told you.

No. He was already home by nine.

Are you sure?

I remember because the next day when we heard the news,

I was relieved that he was with me at that time.

Why? Did you have doubts about what he was doing?

No, it just crossed my mind.

Can I go to the toilet?

That's nice, but I have a wedding to tomorrow.

So let's finish up this statement,

tell me everything, then you can go pee. Okay?

Your husband told you about the prefect's death that night?

No, we found out the next day.

He called you while he was hunting.

I don't remember.

Does he always take his phone when he hunts, or…

Yes, I can't hold it. Can I go, please?

No, hold up. Wait.

So where were we?

On February 6, you had dinner with your daughter, right?

Yes.

Do you know what a cell tower is, Mrs. Alessandri?

No, I don't understand.

I'm having a migraine.

What's a cell tower? Did my husband call a tower in Ajaccio?

Damn it, I don't understand any of this.

Pierre was sick.

They're lying.

Don't let Maranelli and his wife get away with the bird hunting.

I want to know everything. What time he got home.

The more details we have, the better chance we have at a confession.

Ferrandi is what we thought, hard and strong,

Alessandri as well.

Jeanny Ferrandi, Michèle Alessandri, prison.

If Ferrandi cracks, drinks on me.

Maybe they don't know anything.

These guys don't tell their wives everything.

Where are we going to put them?

You're bringing them in cuffs, huh?

Three hours, no more.

You, focus

-on Valérie Dupuis. -Okay.

They'll fall, but not their wives.

Once they're exhausted and fumbling over their stories,

we'll bring up the phone records. Ajaccio, cell towers, their unlikely alibis.

Got it?

Either they're witnesses, in which case they'll go free,

or they're accomplices. Association with terrorists,

accomplice to murder, 22 years.

-Got it? -Got it.

We have to scare the hell out of them.

For now, that's all we've got.

Surely one of them will crack.

Remember,

if one domino falls, the others will follow.

MAY 22, SHORTLY AFTER MIDNIGHT

19TH HOUR OF CUSTODY

May 22, 12:15 a.m.

Fourth statement from Ms. Valérie Dupuis.

I've told you everything.

I couldn't even wash my hands. I feel dirty.

I have proof that your husband wasn't hunting that night.

Which means that you've given me a completely shoddy alibi for him.

Because of which you'll be charged for complicity in murder

and participating in a terrorist organization.

You're looking at 20 years.

Your daughter will be a ward of the state. A foster child.

You'll see her when you get out. Is that what you want?

If she still wants anything to do with her killer parents.

This isn't a game, Mrs. Dupuis.

You're charged with complicity to the murder of a prefect.

The highest state representative in Corsica.

You heard me. You understand what I'm saying.

Do you understand what I'm saying?

-Yes or no? -Yes.

I want my daughter with me.

-I've done nothing. -You're lying.

No!

How do you know?

How do you know he wasn't hunting, dammit?

-Did he tell you? -No, he didn't tell me.

The cell tower in Ajaccio recorded them.

Betrayed by their phone calls.

Proving he was in Ajaccio at the time of the murder

with Alessandri and Ferrandi. They all used their phones.

Didier was with me.

You're lying.

You're lying and you know it.

Did you husband ask you to lie?

-Yes. -Yes.

You see?

It's not hard.

Please…

I want my daughter with me.

To do that, we need the truth from both of you.

On the evening of February 6, what was he doing?

We had an early dinner because he had to go out.

To a political meeting.

That's all he told me, all I know.

Maybe that meeting was in Ajaccio.

Maybe somewhere else.

But you have to believe me.

He took the car at about eight, and I was surprised

that he wanted to take out the child seat.

He told me he had passengers.

Who? What passengers? Did you see them?

Did you see the passengers?

No, he didn't say. He came back at around eleven, and…

I only remember

-that the next day, we had company. -Who?

Yvan Colonna, I think.

Do you know Yvan Colonna?

Yes, I know Yvan. Well, casually from Cargèse.

-Did he often come over? -No, just that morning

for the first and last time.

Okay, so what did Yvan Colonna do?

He just stopped by.

He stayed for two minutes.

He whispered something to Didier but I didn't hear what.

Then Colonna left.

And…

And Didier suddenly became strange, started worrying.

He burned his clothes.

He wrote down an alibi on a piece of paper.

He became more and more suspicious, he said that

there were microphones everywhere.

That we couldn't speak to each other anymore.

He wrote things on pieces of paper then burned them.

He stopped sleeping. He became unbearable and I couldn't take it anymore.

That's what happened.

Let's get a signature on that and you can get some rest.

You know what?

I want my daughter with me.

Really. I don't want her to go.

No, we're not going to arrest the Colonna brother. Let's wait and dig a little.

-She mentioned Yvan Colonna by name. -That's not enough!

We have the phone record, which is strong.

Of course.

Now that she's talking, the others will too.

What was Colonna doing at the Maranelli's? Picking berries?

Maybe he went for business or to talk about the prefect's murder.

Everyone was talking about it on the seventh.

Yvan can't be unaware of it all.

He's Alessandri's best friend. He's in the group.

He was there that night. And if we don't get him now--

You're pissing me off. Stick to the schedule.

We're going to pull out the rotten tooth, with the rotten root too.

But remember, these guys are dangerous and unpredictable.

Because of their background,

they've drawn a cross between fratricidal factions.

22ND HOUR OF CUSTODY

We can't go on like this.

We can't!

5 YEARS EARLIER…

It's not you I'm after, but can't you see we're inactive?

SOMEWHERE NEAR AJACCIO…

What's wrong?

Are you going to hit me? Hasn't enough blood been spilled?

I wasn't involved in the Ajaccio action.

I wasn't in the Ajaccio action! Stop it.

Families are grieving.

And there will be others if we don't stop this.

Don't talk like that!

-There will be more. -Have some respect.

A little respect.

At least for our brothers who died.

If they touch my brother, I'm going.

You know it, but it's not a solution.

Pasqua has it easy in Paris.

What for?

Some are getting rich, others are dying.

We've been talking more than an hour.

Where's it getting us?

We're getting eaten alive…

All the chiefs are doing

is creating confusion

to get more power.

Their hands are bloody.

Not with the French state's blood!

Let's stick to the plan.

Politically, we'll be beaten as always.

What's the plan?

The French state washes its hands of us.

And while you set up your plan, the rest of us kill each other.

So what's the plan?

When one guy's negotiating,

another is planting bombs or shooting our pals…

They're all corrupt! All maniacs!

Three days ago,

I was at a funeral.

And the day after…

The day after…

they shot Joseph dead!

Joseph? I was there.

Where do the dead come from?

Where do they all go?

Where are they taking us?

It's the line, Marcelu, the process, do you understand that?

Don't you see we're destroying ourselves?

Are you with us or against us?

You have to choose your side.

Anyone can talk.

But arguing is senseless. We need to agree.

So we get down on our knees?

Are you talking to me?

Damn it!

That's not what we're talking about.

It's convictions. Where are our convictions?

Why are we fighting?

This is our land.

What are you doing to our land?

You're drenching it in our blood.

In our own blood.

You're off topic.

You're lost, Marcelu.

Yes. I'll tell you…

I'll tell you the truth.

You there…

You speak on behalf of us all…

The truth is…

that you…

and your chiefs, you've all sold out.

You don't respect your promises.

What then? You want to negotiate?

No negotiations. We're following what has been defined.

From Cargèse to Corte.

You spoke well.

If everyone was as frank as you,

things would be better.

Can we move on? Yes or no?

In the summer, I'm on the beaches.

In winter, it's tough.

Come to see me at the airport Hertz agency.

I'll find you something.

Do you have a driver's license?

Yes, I have my licence.

Not for trucks.

We'll find one.

Come in on Monday.

JEAN-LOUIS DEBRÉ, MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR

I have the deepest feeling

that today has perhaps opened,

although it is fragile,

the space necessary for discussion and dialog.

JANUARY 12, 1996, TRUCE IN TRALONCA

First, this means a suspension

of all military operations for three months.

Santoni and Mattei negotiate with Debré behind our backs.

They've been betraying us for months now.

Santoni couldn't care less! Only power interests him.

Debré demanded a truce.

So what did Santoni do?

That high mass in Tralonca…

That big ceremony to show how representative his movement is.

And he still thinks it's a struggle.

The cops have had their orders.

They've completely wrecked the movement.

They even had women under those hoods to fill out the numbers.

If we keep doing nothing, the struggle is dead.

-Finished. -I'm sick of this bullshit.

That's why I wanted to see you.

With a few friends from Cargèse,

we've decided to found a small group.

If you're interested, I'll go on.

If not, forget about the party.

Of course I want in. I want to take action.

A small group of patriots, determined and armed, anonymous.

Who will focus on actions against the French state.

Shall I go on?

A fully autonomous, democratic group.

No leader, no clans.

-No comprises either. -It's what we need.

And these anonymous members carry out radical actions.

Radical?

Yes. We prefer militarism over politics.

We must return to the root of the fight.

Like after Aléria.

The collective fight of the Corsican people.

That's what we must revive.

We're not asking you to be strong,

we're asking you not to be weak.

Understand, Maranelli?

Cheers!

SEPTEMBER 4, 1997 ATTACK AGAINST THE ENA IN STRASBOURG

SEPTEMBER 6, 1997 - ATTACK AGAINST THE GENDARMERIE OF PIETROSELLA D'AJACCIO

GENDARMERIE

So what'll it be?

Should I kill him or not?

No political movement alone may claim to embody the people.

We are not yet another dissident or revivalist movement.

Or preparatory.

The Corsican people will never be reduced to an abbreviation, no matter what.

It was a significant attack.

Completely unacceptable.

Completely stupid

because it targeted a public service that serves the population.

NOVEMBER 11, 1997 - ATTACK AGAINST A SPA IN VICHY

What is it, Pietrosella? Seven lines?

-Seven lines in the national paper. -Nothing else surprises them.

All of Corsica could explode.

And the people don't care.

We need something bigger.

Aim for a target that unambiguously defies the French state.

We believe only one person represents the state.

The regional prefect.

The fish always rots from the head.

Shit, if we take out the prefect, that'll get them talking.

Even beyond that.

Now let's think about how to proceed.

You'll see your lawyer once you tell us where you were that night.

I was in bed sick with a fever.

That's not what your wife said.

Then go get her. We'll see if I'm lying.

28TH HOUR OF CUSTODY

This is still a legal area.

Do you want a punch in the face, and see how legal this area is?

Come on, it's been 20 hours and you haven't eaten anything.

Have some water at least.

Come on.

5:33, 8:24, again at 8:53. That's Ferrandi's number.

Your favorite boss.

Why did you call him the evening of the prefect's death?

What was so urgent that night?

Answer.

He's talking to you. Stubborn as a bowl of brucciu.

Come on, let's go.

Let's go!

I'm listening.

-I have nothing to say. -Go on.

-Come on. -Stop!

First of all,

how do you know I made that call?

Do you think we're fishing?

Think we have nothing on you?

Now I'm not allowed to call my boss?

At 5:33 in the morning?

You're a smart, sensitive woman, Mrs. Ferrandi.

And here we have a dirty execution.

Three bullets in the head and back, a father

who did nothing to deserve it.

You have kid, right, Mrs. Ferrandi?

Did you think of the prefect's kids?

What are your values?

Do you condone this death in the name of the struggle?

-No, I don't condone it. -Why are you lying, Mrs. Ferrandi.

Because your husband wasn't with you that evening.

Because between 8:16 and 8:57, he made eight phone calls,

eight, to Alessandri and Maranelli. He activated cell tower AJAC1

above the Post Office in Ajaccio.

Look, it's all here.

Which means, Mrs. Ferrandi, undeniably, that he was in central Ajaccio.

Do you know what a cell tower is?

It's something like a relay station.

A bit like when you throw out a shaky alibi.

We think your husband is pressuring you

and is preventing you from telling the truth.

Perhaps you didn't know where he was going that night,

when he left you this note.

"I'll be home late."

And you and I both know he was in Ajaccio.

And everything lines up to say that that he took part in the prefect's murder.

You're living with a killer, Mrs. Ferrandi.

You could have said you didn't know, but now you do know.

Your lying makes you an accomplice to the murder

and a participant in a terrorist organization.

And you see, that carries a price.

Who'll take care of your son?

Don't talk about my son.

Who'll take care of your son, Mrs. Ferrandi,

when you're in prison? Who?

You're still pretty with your long black hair.

But how about in 20 years?

ERIGNAC: POLICE DETAIN PROBABLE SUSPECTS

"Police detain probable suspects…"

As if they were paid probably as well.

Bonnet starting to wear me out.

So.

Page eight.

What's this nonsense in Le Monde?

Who did… Dammit, repeat offender Follorou.

Of course.

On a holiday weekend so we can relax, and…

The killing of the prefect is the end goal of a joint effort

between the DNAT and the DCRG.

Vicent!

What do they know…

Pierre, is that you?

Shut up!

Gilles, listen to this.

"The names of some of the detainees

were mentioned in the two notes in the Érignac investigation…

turned over by Prefect Bonnet."

Dammit, they don't even mention my name.

Let's start again.

Your husband's friends.

Which ones do you know? The oldest one?

I already told you. He's from the same village as Yvan Colonna.

And his brother?

He's his brother. They're from the same village, damn it!

Did you know them at the same time?

Yes, of course. They're from the same village!

Well, let's be clear.

I don't know, do you?

How long have known someone?

Fine. And the others?

Who?

Yes, I can confirm you received some calls.

Alain Ferrandi, we know him.

I remember. But it cut off. Bad reception.

He had to repeat himself several times so I knew who he was, so I called back.

That must be what you noticed.

Between 8:30 and 9:30, by chance?

Yes, that's it.

I was in the field, and he called me.

You see, Maranelli, this is like a bullfight.

There's a bull and a fighter. You're the bull, I'm the fighter.

I wave my red cloth in your face,

and you charge right into it every time.

And at the end, I'll cut off your ears and balls.

Why are you saying this?

Your wife gave up.

Yes, she's going to judge, under investigation.

She's an accomplice! The price is 20 years

and your daughter is going to the state.

It's simple. You have the choice.

I was hunting. I don't know what she told you.

She can't remember.

No, on February 6th, you were in Ajaccio!

She couldn't know if I was in Ajaccio.

So you're telling me you weren't hunting.

Where were you on February 6th, 1998 at 8:15 p.m.?

I was hunting.

Think of your wife.

Think of your daughter.

What would you do for them?

Where were you on February 6th, 1998 between 8:15 and 9?

Where?

I was hunting.

Motherfucker. Come on. Fine. Let's go.

Move.

Here.

Don't move.

You piece of shit!

You filthy piece of shit. You're nothing!

You're nothing! You don't even have any balls!

You'll be dead in two seconds. We'll make you talk.

You're done for, Maranelli!

You're over, finished, Maranelli, you're dead!

You'll squeal in in under an hour! There you go.

Go back to your hole! Go back! Into your hole.

Back into your hole.

Move.

Slowly. There you go.

Take him.

Shit-eaters!

Come on, let's go.

On the evening of the 6th, you weren't in the field. Between 8:16 and 8:57,

you made eight phone calls with Alain Ferrandi.

Which activated the cell tower at the Post Office.

Tower AJAC1, located in central Ajaccio, at Napoléon Corner.

Which means irrefutably that on February 6th, 1998, between 8:15

and 9 p.m., you were in the middle of Ajaccio.

Ferrandi too and Alessandri. Eight calls. Do you want to see the record?

Look, right here.

Here.

Shall I continue?

So, where were you?

I wasn't hunting.

I wasn't hunting.

"Faced with the undeniable facts presented,

I acknowledge that on the evening of February 6th, 1998,

I was not hunting. I was in Ajaccio.

I acknowledge having participated in the murder of Mr. Claude Érignac,

prefect of the Corsica Region, on February 6th, 1998

as a member of a criminal terrorist organization."

Are you willing to explain yourself?

Yes.

What exactly was your role?

-I need to lie down. -Go ahead, lie down and talk.

I don't feel well. I'm going to throw up.

You'll throw up later. Explain what your role was.

I'll explain but not now.

I need to think.

Fine, okay, sign the statement, get some rest, and we'll try again.

"All of these tickets

were for the trip to Paris between September 18 to 20, '98

with my friends Pierre Alessandri and Yvan Colonna."

Then?

We got off at Les Halles to get something to eat.

At Les Champs-Élysées for a drink.

You should choose better friends.

Say that again.

The youngest squealed. Maranelli admitted he participated in the crime.

Good, my friend.

Think he'll spill all the names?

If there's anyone here who can get your girl out, it's me.

I'm listening.

But I won't wait.

If you make me wait, I'll lock you both up.

I'm ready to explain.

But I won't give any names.

So then say "X."

We'll teach you how.

40TH HOUR OF CUSTODY

In the summer of '97,

I met an old nationalist friend.

X1.

He told me a new group had been created.

Closer to the original ideas.

Of the fight. Of the LLN.

At that first meeting, there were five people.

from different lines of work.

X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and myself.

On the day of the assassination.

At around five p.m., I took Valérie's car.

-What color? -White.

I took out the child seat because I was supposed

pick up two or three passengers.

And I met two members of the group.

-What road? -No places or addresses.

-No, by which road? -No names, no addresses.

-By which road? -No names, no addresses.

I picked up X2 and X1.

We drove to downtown Ajaccio, and…

Somewhere where X2 was supposed to pick up the gun

to be used to shoot the prefect.

Then at around eight, I left the car at the port,

near the Regional Prefecture, and I walked

to the terrace of a café opposite the entrance to the Prefecture.

My role was to…

report when the prefect left

and to inform…

-X1. -Alain Ferrandi.

I said I wouldn't give any names!

You didn't give it, Ferrandi was identified by his phone.

You recognized him yourself, X1.

I'm not naming anyone.

You didn't say it, but you left traces.

You see?

We located you near the Prefecture.

Eight calls with Alain Ferrandi between 8:16 and 8:57,

X1 is Ferrandi.

So what was Ferrandi doing? Describe it exactly.

I gave the alarm and I want back home.

That's all I know.

So X2 shot the gun?

I don't know who shot the gun! I wasn't at the theater.

I wasn't at the scene.

All I know is that X2 picked up the gun.

Wait, if X1 is here, X2 and X3 are there, what is X3 doing?

X3 was the cover, we decided on that at the meeting.

-The shooter needed a cover. -Where are the others?

-Who? X6… -X6.

I must have picked up X1, X2, and X3 in his car.

So there were six of you.

Which makes you X7.

This is nice, all these Xs but we're not getting anywhere.

-You're the cops. -Don't talk to me like that! Ever!

Look at me!

This stupid silence isn't defending anyone.

Especially not your wife.

If you give me a name, the judge might be a bit more lenient

and call your wife as a simple witness, for example

instead of questioning her as an accomplice.

Listen to me. Just give me one name.

-Who is X2? -No.

I won't snitch on anyone in the group. Ever.

We know the guys in your group, the guys you hang out with,

the RG has been on heels for months

with beacons underneath your bugged cars.

We need names.

No such thing as anonymity.

There are first names, last names, facts, responsibilities.

-There are assassinations. -You promised for my wife.

I'll let your wife go as soon as I have something I can work with.

The judge doesn't give a damn about X! He's like me, he wants names.

I want to lie down. I need to think.

You rested, you already had your break.

-Go rest… -Go on, give the statement.

Do you know Sartre?

Ever heard of Sartre? Know what Sartre used to say?

"Obtaining confessions is a struggle of conscience."

So write all that down. I'll be back to sign it.

MAY 23, 12:02 A.M.

-Want something to drink? -What do you think?

I would have preferred a kidnapping.

Why didn't you do it?

Too hard to organize.

Too hard to organize. For the others.

It's true that…

shooting an unarmed, unsuspecting man in the back of the head

is easier to organize.

Did you all agree politically?

Yes.

Then…

Then, I stopped going to the group meetings.

Except the meeting on August 19 at Alain Ferrandi's sister's place.

No.

Is that the day you decided to go dormant?

I'm not a snitch.

Don't worry, there are others who've already talked.

Even before arresting you, we knew lots about you.

The North cell, the South cell.

I'll even tell you something you're not supposed to know.

Since December, we had a list, and since January, we've been watching you.

How can I know you'll keep your word?

It's a win-win situation. Right?

We're not going to stop halfway.

You're not a guy who does things halfway, are you?

You fuck your girl all the way, right, not halfway.

You're a real man.

Sometimes I'm the one in the wrong place.

Because I need you. Only you can help me.

Like only you can help your wife.

Do you love your wife?

Do you want to do something for your wife?

This is the time to make up for your mistake.

Understand?

Close your eyes, envision your wife.

Do you see her?

Is this what you want for her?

Are you thinking of your daughter?

How old is your daughter?

Do you know how old she'll be when you see her again?

Interrogation of May 23, 1999 at 2:00 a.m.

2:00 A.M.

X1 is Alain Ferrandi.

X5 is Joseph Versini.

X4 is Marcel Istria.

He was at the Baleone warehouse when we got there at 6:15 p.m.

I'm not sure he participated in the act.

X6 arrived an hour later. I didn't know him.

What did you do for an hour?

We rehearsed our roles one last time.

I was supposed to give the signal to Ferrandi.

And the others? X2, X3?

There were guns on the table. Automatic handguns.

But I didn't see them being distributed.

How many guns did you see?

I don't know. More than two.

Okay.

The prefect left.

I called Alain. And left the bar.

I went back to the car.

What was the eighth call at 8:57?

I called Alain as I was walking because…

I didn't think he understood.

It wasn't planned.

That still doesn't tell me who X2 and X3 were.

And don't tell me you didn't know them.

You dropped them off at the warehouse.

Who was sitting in front?

Didier.

Tell him what you told me at the break, nothing more.

In Cargèse,

I picked up Pierre.

He was at his front door on Route du Piana.

Pierre Alessandri?

-He was with Yvan. -Yvan?

Stéphane's brother?

They got into the car and we drove to the warehouse.

X3 is Pierre Alessandri.

Yes.

X2 is Yvan Colonna.

Is he the one who shot?

I don't know, I wasn't there.

Who was in charge of killing the prefect? Who? X2? X3?

You told us three hours ago sitting on that chair.

At the scene was…

At the scene was X2.

-And who is X2? -Yvan Colonna.

I'll call the chief.

Sign this for us.

That's who we planned to be at the scene, X2,

but I wasn't there. I don't know who shot the gun.

Hold on, Didier. You told me it was Colonna at the break.

I said it was X2.

The one we planned to be at the scene was X2.

You said Yvan Colonna.

X2.

We planned on X2 shooting the gun, but I wasn't there.

-I wasn't there. -You just said so, Didier.

Look at me.

It's written down. Do you want to read it?

Down to the comma. Read and sign it.

I don't know what happened on the scene.

-It's written down. -I wasn't there.

Maybe he didn't shoot the gun, maybe he wasn't there,

maybe he left, I don't know.

-Didier, look at me. -X6 picked him up.

I went home, that's all I know.

What I know is that X1 and X2,

I took them to Ajaccio. X2 took the gun.

X2 was supposed to shoot at the scene, but I don't know what happened.

I gave the signal and went back home.

That's all I know. I went back home.

I don't know what happened there,

I don't know if it was Yvan.

I don't know if he shot the gun or if he was even there,

but X6 brought them back home.

Keep your comments to yourself!

I need you to arrest Yvan Colonna, Joseph Versini, and Martin Ottaviani.

Police! Don't move! Hands up!

Call me back right afterwards.

Let's go.

Maranelli talked.

"To protect the fate of my wife, who remains faithful to me,

defending me with her words, and of my son,

and as a nationalist activist,

I agree to tell you the truth about this political act

legally recognized as terrorism.

I also acknowledge asking my wife

to say that I was home on the evening of February 6th."

Do you recognize that you were one of the instigators

of the assassination of Prefect Claude Érignac?

Yes.

That you participated in the preparation of this act?

Yes.

It was a political act.

I first want to clarify that the original idea wasn't to kill a man.

Even if it was the case.

The first idea

was to put a stop to the corrupt policy

of successive French governments.

And to assemble Corsican nationalists

to provoke the French state

through a spectacular act meant to punish the state

responsible for the climate of lawlessness voluntarily maintained in Corsica

of which the prefect is the highest representative on the island.

Write it down.

As for my term of co-instigator,

by this I mean that it was a symbiosis.

A joint agreement between several people.

I won't tell you the names of the others. Or even how many there are.

Or where they come from.

I believe I've carried out a major political act.

We know that Alessandri and Colonna were with you.

I'll never tell you who shot Prefect Érignac.

When did you decide on this act against the prefect?

I have nothing to say about the organization.

This statement is a selfish act to protect my family.

Guided by a feeling of weakness that will leave my leave my comrades destitute.

Moral: when you're a soldier, it's better not to marry.

5:00 A.M.

You know, there's not much difference between an accomplice to murder

and a murderer. Not much at all.

You're living with a killer, Mrs. Ferrandi.

You could have told us you didn't know,

but we have the proof, the cell towers.

You can't claim you don't know.

You're living with an assassin, Mrs. Ferrandi.

Is this your idea of a relationship?

Condoning a cowardly, despicable murder?

A few days after the 6th, my husband asked me to…

That if I was being interrogated,

for me to say we were watching the news on TV.

He asked me to do this naturally.

And I agreed.

Out of my love and respect for him.

My husband isn't violent.

Joseph Versini?

CRISTINACCE, SOUTH CORSICA

CARGÈSE, NEAR PERO BEACH

Police.

-Yes? -Yvan Colonna?

What is it now?

Watch out for my floor, I just cleaned.

Damn it.

Damn it.

What did Yvan do?

Why are you so interested in Yvan?

His jeans and shoes are here.

So? He always has some jeans here.

-Where did he go? -That's your job, not mine.

Go and look at La Paillote. Ask Stéphane.

No, Stéphane, no. What time did he leave?

He didn't leave. He wasn't here.

Where does he sleep when he's not here?

Wherever. Since he became a shepherd, he lives his own life.

Sometimes here, sometimes there.

Did he go up to the sheepfold?

-Did he go up to the sheepfold? -I don't know!

-Pienel. -Damn shepherd.

Let's go.

PIAZZILE DA PIANELLA

This isn't the first time Colonna has fled.

And if I didn't pick you from the precinct in Paris

you'd still be cleaning toilets!

And this is how you thank me?

Axel Girard, a TV journalist,

managed to meet with the Colonna brothers.

At the restaurant of their brother-in-law, Joseph Caviglioli.

Stéphane Colonna knew he was being watched for months, like his brother Yvan,

the former manager of Cuncolta in Cargèse.

I think they need results, and to get results,

you need convicts.

Whoever fits the bill.

So maybe we fit the bill

of those who did the crime, but we didn't do it.

So I don't see what all the fuss is about.

The papers yesterday, TV today? What is this?

I just asked you to arrest four guys, that's all.

And all of France knows it now?

And you're surprised that the guy fled?

Do I look like the stupidest cop in France?

Bunch of losers.

Useless bunch of losers.

Get out or you'll be sorry.

Gilles.

I want you to get Maranelli's confession in stone.

-How much time is left, 35 hours? -35 hours.

I want the name of the shooter on every statement!

You can jerk around later.

You drove them there.

How long will you deny the evidence?

I was for eliminating the symbol targeted,

-but I couldn't. -Couldn't what?

I couldn't kill the man.

So on February 6th, were going to kill some pigs with your brothers, right?

For a customer.

Were you thinking of Prefect Érignac at that moment?

No, I'm not a killer.

See?

-I want my wife here. -What?

-My wife. -Okay, go get her.

Your brother in arms, your friend forever.

-Who are you looking for? -Corinne Cau.

At Destré's.

Is that what you're protecting?

A guy with no balls? Who flees at first sight?

Your role in the plot.

We're waiting.

I participated in the act in the getaway car.

I felt totally powerless and desperate.

After disaster, the little gang leaders who corrupted the… Corinne!

The hare got away, and you're going to get 30 years easy.

Now we're listening. Talk.

Your wife will get 20 years as an accomplice.

Who'll take care of your business? And your kids?

Foster home, is that what you want?

-I'm waiting for my lawyer. -For Ottaviani.

And Maranelli. You were supposed to cover the shooter,

making you the primary witness.

-Who shot the prefect? -I…

Shut up! Don't ask, just answer. Who was in that street?

You and Colonna?

I'm loyal to the group.

You think the group will be loyal to you?

"It was symbiosis, a joint idea between several people,

and I wasn't the only person to have this idea.

Note that my role was to participate in the plot from start to finish."

Alain Ferrandi. Going on.

"I think I have committed a major political act that failed.

My statements are also a selfish act because they were guided

by a feeling of weakness against the others…"

Is that what you call group loyalty?

You've ruined your life, my friend.

A complete failure.

Even Ferrandi acknowledges this.

"I again agree to explain my participation…

64TH HOUR OF CUSTODY

…in the killing of the prefect of Corsica, Mr. Claude Érignac,

so no burden will be brought against my wife.

The group formed in early '97.

The first militants were Alain Ferrandi,

Didier Maranelli, Yvan Colonna,

Marcel Istria, me, and others whose names I have forgotten.

The group had no name.

Having no name was voluntary so as not to have initials

and be confused for other nationalist movements.

We wanted to create an electric shock in Corsican society

to enhance morale in public life.

We wanted to attack the French state to get it to react."

-Did you know he was going to the concert? -No, we didn't.

"We were, however, not certain

that Mr. Érignac was going to the concert."

We were ready for the 6th.

"But we decided to try our luck

by implementing the plot."

Then?

Yvan and I got into Didier's car.

-The white one? -Yes.

All three of us got out in Ajaccio.

Alain Ferrandi was worried because the concert had begun.

The car still hadn't come out.

He just left.

We each had one of the Berettas stolen in Pietrosella.

Yes.

Hello, Claude. Hello, Dominique.

Thank you, Joseph.

We thought he was leaving.

That he wasn't staying for the concert.

We ran into him.

I walked in front.

I heard the gunshots.

I turned around and saw Yvan near the prefect's body

on the ground.

But I didn't see him shoot.

It's done. He's dead.

So what are you saying?

When you returned, Colonna was over the prefect's body.

He left his gun at the scene,

the bullets of which were used to kill Prefect Érignac.

But you are unable to tell me that you saw Yvan Colonna shoot the prefect?

I didn't see him shoot.

Are you kidding me?

We found his gun on the scene.

The shooter's gun was found.

And where's yours?

I threw it into the sea.

Note that my wife, Michèle…

had nothing to do with the operation. Ever.

We're coming. Let's get out.

Where I was at Cours Napoléon, I didn't see anything.

When you assigned roles, who was in charge of shooting the prefect?

Do you know?

I wasn't at the meetings.

But when you got to the warehouse in Baleone, who was there?

Ferrandi, Maranelli, Alessandri, Colonna were there?

-Yes. -There were two armed men.

Alessandri and Colonna. We have witnesses.

And statements. Look.

Just tell me who was supposed to shoot.

Who was it?

Was it Pierre Alessandri?

I don't know. I wasn't there when it was decided.

Can you confirm that Yvan Colonna had one of the guns from Pietrosella?

I suppose.

-Did you see him take the gun? -No.

Where were you, then?

Outside.

You know what? Let's try something else.

Because you seem to like the group spirit of solidarity.

Does the designation by your little friends

of Yvan Colonna as the prefect's killer sound familiar?

Is that a group lie or the truth?

Am I supposed to know what's going on here?

You drove them to Le Kallisté, right?

-Yes. -Colonna got in with the others.

-Yes. -Did they talk during the ride?

No.

I have a daughter too.

Two months older than yours.

The difference is that her dad isn't involved in a gang of killers.

I've told you what I know.

MAY 24 - WHIT MONDAY

I don't know why you're treating me like this.

Because of an unarmed man who got shot three times in the head

by a gang of degenerates.

See those bullets? In his skull?

78TH HOUR OF CUSTODY

That's what his wife and kids will see at the trial.

Their father's head riddled with steel bullets.

Look at the consequences of your actions!

I don't care about your pictures.

Do you care about human suffering?

We know you didn't shoot. We know everything. Look.

-Just confirm it. -Maranelli doesn't know what he's saying.

You were at the meetings. Colonna was the designated shooter.

And you were in Pietrosella with your group from the South.

I want to hear it from Didier's mouth. His word against mine.

Shut up! You don't give a damn!

You have no regrets! No memory! You're pissing us off!

On February 6th, I left to walk my dog, Tourque.

I've lost her since then.

Bastards.

Go fuck yourselves.

Oath previously taken in the forms of law, he declares:

"I acknowledge the latest statements from my wife…

80TH HOUR OF CUSTODY

…Jeanny Finidori: 'On the evening of February 6th, my son was sleeping.

At around 9:00 p.m.,

I saw my husband arrive with two other men I know,

Pierre Alessandri and Yvan Colonna. My husband said nothing to me.

Question:

"How were your husband, Pierre, and Yvan dressed that night?

'The only noise I could hear from the bathroom

were snippets of conversations.

Which I cannot remember.'"

Mr. Ferrandi, any comments?

Mr. Ferrandi.

My wife told you the truth.

We will report the end of the custody.

The judge, then the airport.

Mrs. Jeanne Finidori, married name Ferrandi…

JUDGE BRUIGUIÈRE

…do you confirm the statements you made

at your seventh and last deposition?

Do I need to read them to you?

You came home and found a note from your husband

telling you that he would be home late.

"Shortly after 10:00 p.m., he came home.

He was with Pierre Alessandri and Yvan Colonna.

All three of them came into the house without saying a word.

I immediately thought something was not right,

and I wondered what.

Shortly afterward, my husband came to join me."

Yes, according to preliminary information we've had on the scene,

Claude Érignac was struck by several 9 mm bullets, it appears,

from a handgun, he had just dropped off his wife and parked his car.

It was then, it seems, that he returned to the theater

when two people, appearing to be young, according to a witness,

approached him and shot him.

"My husband then held my chin

-and said…" -Are you all right?

"I replied in the same tone…"

Yes.

"I don't know what else I could say, it's not my style

to lose my cool."

Let's go.

It's over. Get up.

91ST HOUR OF CUSTODY

TUESDAY, MAY 25

Uncuff Mr. Ferrandi.

I don't understand how killing an unarmed prefect

is a political act, Mr. Ferrandi.

Between indifference and repression, depending on successive governments,

the French state has always despised the Corsican people.

It has always stirred up, and sometimes even provoked conflicts

between different nationalist factions.

And knowingly worked to break up the FLNC.

After dozens of deaths.

The French police and justice system have done nothing to elucidate these crimes.

And the French state continues to to negotiate with some,

against the others, distributing honors and benefits,

to encourage clannism and cronyism.

Sapant has implemented an economic policy that would truly develop the island.

The French state maintains us in the state of subjection.

The last straw, was the press conference.

Where the Corsican national movement lost all credibility.

From there, I decided to recruit in my area of Sagone-Cargese

a small group of seasoned activists

supporters of restoring the movement to its original purity,

and to oblige the French state to enter into real discussions

about the Corsican national issue.

What did you expect from this assassination?

You knew that it would provoke general disapproval.

That's what happened for now.

But this is not what we expected.

In any case, not from underground movements.

Our idea was to strike a blow.

To carry out an act to refound Corsican nationalism.

As strong as the taking of hostages at the farm of Aléria in '75.

As in the past, we knew that we were going to provoke

a brutal reaction from the French state.

Unprecedented repression.

But we also thought that the different nationalist clans

would take advantage and regroup and fight as a block in the colonial state.

We hoped that this would result in a unified nationalist movement

free of mafia-like abuses, compromises with the state

and fratricidal settling of accounts.

-To appropriate power. -At the farm in Aléria in 1975?

To appropriate power.

At the farm in Aléria in 1975?

The nationalists fought against 1,000 mobile guards.

Armored vehicles, helicopters,

a government ready for anything to remove them.

We are talking about a man known for his open-mindedness.

His capacity for dialogue, a man who walked down the street

without weapons, without bodyguards, who took the gamble of trust.

I repeat, violence is legitimate when it liberates people

and reestablishes justice.

No decolonization struggle,

no resistance to foreign occupation would have succeeded

without resorting to violence.

-Do you want to add anything? -I reject the term "terrorism."

We're ordinary citizens.

-The Republic is a myth in France. -I think we'll stop here.

I am not here to listen to your ideological gibberish.

I'm investigating an assassination, one that was

completely cowardly and unjustifiable.

You are the only one who gave no names.

So, I ask you:

can you give me the names of the members of this commando?

And their respective roles in the assassination,

especially Yvan Colonna, presumed to be the killer.

I come before you to give you an explanation about our political act.

Not to give you names. Not even one.

THE BEGINNING OF FOUR YEARS OF CUSTODY

FOR MEMBERS OF THE GROUP AWAITING TRIAL,

FOUR YEARS YVAN COLONNA HAS BEEN ON THE RUN…

We almost arrested Yvan Colonna, the presumed killer of Prefect Érignac,

in Sardinia last week,

a combined operation of the French and Italian police.

Information had been circulating that Yvan Colonna

was on the island, but in the end, the operation ended in failure.

Today in Corsica, more than 40 anti-terrorism police officers

are still constantly searching for Yvan Colonna.

Anti-terrorist judges, and under their direction,

the police, are committed to finding

the last man still at large.

Yvan Colonna, the presumed killer, will have to answer to justice.

Ferrandi.

Visit.

We're not petty thugs.

We're activists and we have to think about everything that will strengthen

the symbolic impact of our actions.

But Alain, there's no material proof against Yvan Colonna.

No phone record, nothing.

And the only witness who saw the shooter

rejects Yvan's likeness completely.

They bugged her, they searched her house,

but she stays like that. There's nothing else to do.

So Alain, if you don't speak to me, who will help you here?

The Colonna case can be dropped like that.

So I'm asking a question.

Being on the sideway means you shot, shooting means you killed the prefect.

You're not playing cards here!

You're looking at 25 years in jail!

I'm not interested in Colonna.

Colonna is like me.

He represents nothing compared to what has been done.

Vincent, I want you to tell the others that we are in this together.

We don't deny anything. We show the way, that's all.

I know what they want.

For the prefect's assassination to stop in the evening of February 6th, '98.

The act will live on as long as we resist. It's simple.

Don't talk about Yvan.

The fugitive wrote a handwritten letter

sent to the nationalist paper…

JANUARY 4, 2001

…which was published

in the Est Republicain.

This is the letter signed by Yvan Colonna, France's most wanted man.

Written in Corsican, in capital letters,

it was sent to Corsican nationalist newspaper U Ribombu…

I strongly deny everything I'm accused of

in the attack on Pietrosella and the Erignac case.

I did not take part in them.

According to what I know,

two imprisoned nationalist militants accused me.

When I returned home, I found out I was

a wanted man. And a condemned man too.

I decided to distance myself

and I was right to. This special justice

designed to eradicate the nationalist movement

is something I cannot condone.

I refuse to contemplate turning myself in to it.

Long live the Corsican people.

Long live the struggle.

Long live the Corsican nation.

Yvan Colonna, wanted patriot, unjustly accused.

VILLEPINTE, JANUARY 9, 2001

I AFFIRM THAT THE DESIGNATION OF YVAN COLONNA AS WELL AS ALL THE STATEMENTS

RELATED TO HIS PERSON ARE TOTALLY ERRONEOUS.

JUDGE LE VERT

The interrogation of May 23, 1999, at 2 a.m. says:

"Yvan Colonna was in charge of

killing the prefect and Pierre Alessandri to cover Yvan.

After the murder, I saw Yvan Colonna had thrown the gun to the ground

as agreed during our preparatory meetings."

This was you, Didier Maranelli? Are these your statements?

And I repeat. He wasn't there and didn't shoot.

-Your statements are here. -I was scared and ashamed.

And today, I regret it.

I maintain that Yvan Colonna was not at the scene of the crime

and did not shoot the prefect.

Can the clerk note this down?

I only knew Alain Ferrandi, not the other two.

I gave names at the time,

because I was confused and they showed them to me.

If Yvan Colonna was with them, would you have recognized him?

I have nothing else to say.

My life stopped on February 6th, 1998.

I lost my family.

I lost my dreams.

I can no longer imagine the future.

I don't even know who I am.

I'll let the others arrange things themselves.

I just want to rebuild my life.

Who is behind this general turnaround, Mr. Alessandri?

I don't want to answer this question.

I'll agree to talk as soon as the Corsican prisoners

are together again.

-So who was there? -I don't know who was there.

You're saying that you didn't know this person,

and that he's not Mr. Colonna.

I don't remember what happened.

-Pity. -The custody was horrible.

I was threatened. I thought I'd lose everything.

I left, my son only spoke Corsican,

when I came back, he only spoke French.

What about the statements to the judge the next day?

I told the police what they wanted to hear.

No, your statements to Judge Bruiguière.

-I told him what he wanted to hear. -Fine.

Tell me, are you free today? You have custody of your child.

Did someone ask you to to clear Mr. Colonna's name and why?

Do you think I've been told what to do?

No, you're not answering my question.

Did you husband ask you to clear Mr. Colonna's name, Mrs. Ferrandi?

-Answer. -I closed a door.

My husband is behind it.

I don't know the activist.

I only know the family man.

You have a gift for not answering questions, even two years later.

Come on.

Come on.

JUNE 2, 2003

Under high surveillance

a convoy brings the accused to the courthouse in Paris.

The defense lawyers return to their seats.

The defendants who will not be filmed are dressed as normal people.

Farmer, accountant, driver, teacher.

JULY 3

Want to tell me something?

-If that's him, he's put on a lot. -There's still a family resemblance.

The sheepfold is on Mount Barbatu, in the Propriano heights.

It's simple. The question is--

Should we tighten the arrangement?

If we intervene, we may be discovered.

Listen, don't you think that four years is already a lot?

-Is the tattoo on the right? -On the right shoulder, you can't see it.

There's no tattoo on the right.

-So? -I think it's him.

-I'm not sure. -Claude?

We can't make a decision with this.

We can wait for tomorrow.

I'm not hesitating, like you are. Let's go. Take him alive.

It'll be okay. Be brave.

Bati, come here.

Talk to your dad.

Talk to him.

Talk to your dad.

He's heading toward the mountain.

The first one to see him, don't ask questions.

We'll take him and ask questions later.

Let him pass.

We got him.

The President will be pleased.

Are you Yvan Colonna?

Yes, that's me.

Let's stop playing around.

You've done your job.

Smile, guys.

The French police have just arrested Yvan Colonna,

the assassin of Prefect Érignac.

FRIDAY, JULY 4, 2003 - CARPENTRAS

Strength has remained with the law.

The law of the Republic. Yes.

Something has truly changed in our Republic.

Now we do what we say.

And allow me to tell you something.

I'm think of one person.

Or rather, three people.

Mrs. Érignac, who has suffered so much.

Her son and her daughter.

Uncuff Mr. Colonna, please.

The vest as well.

As a preliminary matter, I wish to denounce

in the strongest terms the statements of the Minister of the Interior,

which are a clear violation of the very principle of the presumption of innocence.

A part of the state system will obviously

paint me as guilty. I don't know how you can deny it.

Why did you flee if you're innocent?

The day after the first round of arrests, my name was given to the press.

Le Monde and France Soir.

Are you independent enough to acknowledge my innocence?

Don't worry about me.

The RG was tailing us for months me, my brother and brother-in-law.

Like all Corsicans fighting for the Corsican people.

So what did you want? That I stand idly by?

You and I know that French politics and police

already know who's guilty. The list is long.

Your name was given by several other suspects.

I don't know what happened during those arraignments.

Everyone remembers their methods.

With the Islamic terrorists in '95.

-Please. -But the result is injustice.

And probably manipulation.

Honestly, Mr. Colonna, do you believe this theory

of a DNAT conspiracy?

I was designated as the sole guilty party.

So I must become this culprit so as not to ridicule

French rule of law and its affiliated services.

Especially after four years on the run.

And to serve the image and the political career of a man.

Who are you talking about?

Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy. You know this very well.

And I also want to know why all my friends recanted?

-We'll get to that, Mr. Colonna. -I'll get to it too, Judge.

Explain to me how a man on the same day at the same time

can be seen in two different places.

By two statements made in police custody. You read the case.

From Valérie Dupuis and Mrs. Alessandri.

How can I be on the morning of February 7th in Alata

and also at the Maranelli's?

Valérie Dupuis may have been mistaken about the time.

-We'll make sure of that. -Four years after her statement.

JULY 11

VERDICT OF THE FIRST TRIAL

ALAIN FERRANDI: LIFE

PIERRE ALESSANDRI: LIFE

DIDIER MARANELLI: 25 YEARS MARCEL ISTRIA: 20 YEARS

One of the defendants shouted "Long live the struggle."

OTTAVIANI: 20 YEARS VERSINI: 15 YEARS

After the verdict was read, family members sing Corsican songs, fists raised.

This decision proves the state's severity against the…

ANTOINE SOLLACARO DEFENSE ATTORNEY

…Corsican nationalists in general.

This is a dream.

PHILIPPE LEMAIRE DOMINIQUE ÉRIGNAC'S ATTORNEY

A verdict of reconciliation in a case where

people who committed a murder and claimed responsibility for it are on trial.

How can we reconcile through justice?

No reconciliation is possible.

They enjoy arguing with Sarkozy about independent justice.

They don't give a damn about Corsican nationalism.

I accept the punishment because I earned it and am proud of it.

We should all be proud. You too.

And those supporting Yvan now.

We need to know. Is he guilty or not guilty?

And what are they supporting? Tell me.

I don't know.

I'm fed up with all of it.

What I see is Simon

and I don't know how I'm going to get out of it.

As long as they deal with the justice system with its problem

of presumed innocence, the prefect is still alive.

How can you say such a thing?

Prefect Érignac is dead. You're the only one.

You're the only one disturbing the dead with your Colonna story

to pretend that your cause still exists.

Your cause doesn't exist anymore.

You know what they say?

The prefect was killed in Corsica, but do you know where he died?

He died in Paris.

We got carried away in our enthusiasm. That's all.

Obviously, we have gone beyond the human stage.

Can we talk about Simon's future?

It's no reason to stop the fight.

You know, Janny…

I'll fight till the end.

I want a divorce.

Do you hear me?

Do you hear me?

You're free.

Do what you have to do.

I've done what I was meant to do.

Where were you the night of September 5th and 6th, '97?

I repeat, I didn't not participate in the attack

at the gendarmerie in Pietrosella.

I was not part of the anonymous group.

JUDGE THIEL

I didn't participate in the assassination of Prefect Érignac,

I wasn't in Ajaccio that night. I'll say this directly to you.

I'll repeat my question.

Where were you on the night of September 5th and 6th, '97?

I will not answer until I am confronted with those accusing me.

Fine. What was your relation to Pierre Alessandri?

With Mr. Alain Ferrandi?

Today, these men have smeared me. I reject them.

I confirm that Yvan Colonna was not in the anonymous group.

So he couldn't have killed Prefect Érignac.

Then who did?

Me.

Yes, I got your letter and the one from your wife.

I waited until I felt ready to face the consequences of this confession.

Lannemezan, September 27, 2004. "I also want

that you remove your certainties to understand

your reflection." What is this supposed to mean?

The inspector harassed me. I chose to save my wife.

You sometimes have to cut off a branch to save the tree.

Today I want to make amends for my mistake with an innocent man.

And why did you accuse Mr. Colonna?

It seems to me that you've had a religion of confessions.

The question was for your client.

-It's complicated. -Go on, I'm listening.

I had to do a lot of work to depersonalize the victim,

so that he would no longer be Claude Érignac,

but only the Regional Prefect.

I myself did this depersonalization so I could go through with it.

While in custody, acknowledging what I had done,

forced me back into this depersonalization,

which was difficult,

or even impossible. So, I used

the accusations from my accomplices of Yvan

to get out of the system.

And where do you stand today with this depersonalization?

Today, I feel able to set the record straight.

Hello, Claude. Hello, Dominique.

Thank you, Joseph.

We didn't think he was staying for the concert.

That the whole plan was ruined.

We got out.

I walked in front.

We approached the prefect.

I turned around and fired.

I don't believe you.

Maybe this is the truth you've made up for yourself

once you finally escaped this depersonalization,

but your story isn't credible.

All eyewitnesses described a commando of three individuals.

That's false, Your Honor, not all the witnesses,

only one of the ten saw a commando.

The witnesses…

The witnesses kept only a furtive and partial memory.

That moment ruined my life.

I relive it every second.

Every day, every night in my cell.

In fact, in support of my statement, I can tell you that I didn't

throw the second gun stolen at Pietrosella into the sea.

I know where it is.

I can tell you where it is.

Anything else to add?

You have no rights over me!

You have no rights over me!

No rights at all!

Guards, uncuff these men.

Mr. Ferrandi, would you like to revise any of your statements?

No. My confessions concern only me.

I still assume my statements.

I'll leave the others with their conscience.

Do you confirm that Mr. Colonna was not involved?

I never confirmed or denied the presence of anyone in the group.

Be honest.

They said that I was involved in the crime.

Now I ask that you tell the truth.

I know you're a man of honor, Yvan.

And that if you were involved in this act, you'd claim it.

Therefore, I confirm that you were not involved

or a part of this group.

Am I to understand that you're now exonerating Mr. Colonna?

Understand what you will.

Can you tell us today who held the weapon that killed Prefect Érignac?

I have nothing to say in this matter.

Alain, what do you have against me?

Tell me, what have I done to you?

I have nothing against you.

If you had said you were one of us,

if you'd claimed responsibility,

I'd have defended you to the death.

Speak in French, Mr. Ferrandi, please.

By not absolving me, you're condemning me

and letting arbitrary justice run its course.

You're too smart not to realize.

So tell me…

Why are you sacrificing me?

In French, please.

It doesn't help the cause you claim to defend.

Would the attorneys control their clients, please.

I think I'm best placed to talk about the cause.

I never fled into the maquis, I never ran,

I never abandoned my convictions.

Every Corsican aware of the struggle supports our ideals.

It can't be just words, Yvan.

Speak in French or this hearing will be dismissed.

I think there's nothing left to say.

I'd like the hearing to end now.

People don't care about your action.

It's a disaster!

Oh, no, don't go there, please!

Today, it's a failure. But tomorrow?

And the day after?

Our act has a meaning.

Gentlemen, I'll have to dismiss you.

Your Honor, let the truth come out.

Even if our act was senseless,

even if it created a fugitive martyr…

He's neither a fugitive

nor a martyr but a symbol of the Corsican cause.

What symbol?

Whether you like it or not, Yvan Colonna,

is becoming the symbol of an unsubmissive Corsica.

Defiant of the French state, which has ridiculed its police for four years.

Condemned by the President in defiance

of the most basic rules of presumption of innocence.

And a master manipulator. You know that very well.

A particularly romantic vision, Your Honor.

Yes, but it's the right one.

It is in the villages and countryside.

A hero?

He says he did nothing. A hero?

I want to be a free man and keep fighting for the people.

I'm not here to serve your cause.

Clear my name. In front of French justice?

The justice that can't understand what goes on in a Corsican's mind?

You wear me out, Yvan.

It's a dead end!

A chaotic strategy. Look around!

I'd like to return to my cell. I'm finished, Your Honor.

In the event of a reenactment, I need your approval, Mr. Ferrandi,

to consider transport to the crime scene.

I'd like to go breathe the air of my land.

But I won't participate in a reenactment.

NOVEMBER 2007

…around machines, but for the black spots,

their development or removal

could be completed within a few months.

Last name: Colonna, first name: Yvan,

occupation: shepherd. This is how Yvan Colonna appeared

before the Special Assize Court in Paris this morning

for the opening of a highly anticipated trial.

A very tense first day. On assignment, Catherine Juste.

Pictures of the person whose photo appeared

was on a wanted poster for four years.

The man has changed little.

Yvan Colonna appeared calm and ready to defend himself.

Today, he is no longer running from the law.

He never fled from justice. True justice, the justice today,

not justice as applied by the anti-terrorist section.

Walk.

Walk.

Walk.

Subtitle translation by: Stephen Williams