Assassination of Robert Moracchini, figure of “La Brise de mer” in Bastia: an investigation for organized crime murder opened

Robert Moracchini, 65, a prominent figure of the Corsican criminal group “La Brise de mer,” was found shot dead in the center of Bastia on Saturday, March 29th. The attack, which occurred around 8 a.m. on Rue Luce-de-Casabianca, immediately mobilized emergency services and law enforcement. The Public Prosecutor of Bastia confirmed that the victim died from gunshot wounds. An investigation into murder in an organized crime group and association with criminals has been launched, with the Interdepartmental Directorate of the National Police (DIPN) of Haute-Corse in charge of the investigation.

Another settling of scores in Corsica in 2025
Moracchini gained notoriety in the criminal world, notably for his involvement in a murder in 1982, when he was tried for the assassination of Daniel Ziglioli, a nightclub manager, although witnesses retracted and the trial ended in an acquittal. In 1987, he was also convicted and sentenced to prison for embezzlement. Since the late 2000s, his name was no longer associated with major criminal cases, and he led a quieter life as a businessman in Bastia, where he managed a tobacconist’s shop.

The murder of Robert Moracchini is the sixth homicide recorded in Corsica since the beginning of 2025, and it occurs in a context of ongoing tensions linked to organized crime on the island.

Moracchini, founding member of the criminal group, found shot dead in downtown
The assassination of Moracchini strikes another blow to the image of Corsica, which has long been fighting the phenomenon of frequent settling of scores on the island. Authorities responded quickly after the attack, setting up a security perimeter and conducting the initial investigations. While the crime scene was isolated, the circumstances of the murder remain unclear. The prosecutor stated that authorities are doing everything possible to track down the perpetrators of this murder, which seems to be directly related to the old criminal rivalries of “La Brise de mer.”

This case reignites the issue of crime in Corsica, as the government has announced enhanced measures to combat organized crime groups. Moracchini’s assassination comes at a time when the Minister of Justice, Gérald Darmanin, had previously discussed a strengthened response to the island’s criminal gangs. It is the fifth settling of scores in Corsica since the start of the year, and authorities face significant challenges in halting this cycle of violence.