In a shocking incident that has sent ripples through the community, a 65-year-old man was shot and killed near the police station in Bastia, Corsica, on Saturday, March 29, 2025. The victim, identified as Robert Moracchini, was known to law enforcement as a prominent figure in the notorious Brise de mer criminal gang.
The shooting occurred around 8:00 AM on Rue du commandant Luce de Casabianca, just a stone's throw from his home. Eyewitnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots before witnessing Moracchini collapse to the ground. Emergency services rushed to the scene, but unfortunately, they were unable to save him.
Moracchini's criminal history is extensive; he was one of the founding members of the Brise de mer, a gang that has dominated organized crime in Corsica for decades. He had previously been implicated in serious crimes, including murder and robbery, during the 1980s. However, he had not been involved in any legal troubles for over 20 years, raising questions about the motivations behind this violent act.
Jean-Philippe Navarre, the prosecutor of Bastia, confirmed the incident and announced that an investigation into organized gang murder and criminal association has been initiated. The direction of the investigation has been handed over to the national police's interdepartmental division in Haute-Corse.
As of now, the shooter or shooters remain at large. Local authorities have established a security perimeter around the crime scene, and forensic teams are conducting investigations to determine the specifics of the shooting, including how many shots were fired and whether one or multiple assailants were involved.
This murder marks the fifth assassination in Corsica since the start of 2025. In February, there was another homicide in Borgo, but it was deemed to be in a familial context. The recent surge in violence has raised alarms among residents and officials alike, prompting discussions about the ongoing challenges of organized crime in the region.
According to data from 2024, Corsica had a staggering 18 homicides and 16 attempted homicides for a population of 355,000—making it the region with the highest homicide rate in France. The local prefect, Jérôme Filippini, has highlighted the need for increased resources to combat organized crime, especially following the announcement of an unprecedented strengthening of measures against such criminal activities in Corsica.
Moracchini's criminal ties date back to the formation of the Brise de mer in the 1980s, a gang that became infamous for its involvement in bank robberies, extortion, and other illicit activities. The gang's influence waned following a series of internal conflicts, particularly between Moracchini's associates Richard Casanova and Francis Mariani, leading to a bloody power struggle that saw multiple assassinations.
In a notable case from 1985, Moracchini, along with two other men, was tried for the murder of a nightclub manager named Daniel Ziglioli but was acquitted. His criminal record also includes a conviction in 1987 for misuse of company assets, for which he received a 20-month prison sentence, with 12 months suspended.
Despite his troubled past, Moracchini had managed to stay out of the public eye for over two decades, even achieving a personal milestone by climbing Mount Everest in May 2023 at the age of 63. This recent assassination raises many questions about the current state of organized crime in Corsica and whether Moracchini's past affiliations played a role in his untimely death.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are working diligently to gather evidence and locate the perpetrators. The community is left grappling with the implications of this violent act, and many are calling for a renewed focus on safety and security in the region.
The local police and emergency services remain on high alert as they continue their efforts to address the rising tide of violence in Corsica. With the public's safety at stake, the outcome of this investigation will be closely monitored by residents and officials alike.
In the wake of Moracchini's assassination, the call for justice resonates throughout Bastia and beyond, as the community seeks answers and a return to peace.
