Two seasonal workers ordered to leave Corsica after desecrating Virgin Mary statue in Porto-Vecchio
Judicial authorities in Ajaccio placed two seasonal workers under supervision and ordered their immediate departure from Corsica after they filmed themselves desecrating a statue of the Virgin Mary in Porto-Vecchio.
Incident at the Stabiacciu roundabout
In the early hours of 1 October 2026, two seasonal workers vandalized a statue of the Virgin Mary situated at the Stabiacciu roundabout at the southern entrance of Porto-Vecchio, Corsica. The sculpture, originally erected in 2020 following an initiative by Father Constant, was dislodged from its stone pedestal and left heavily damaged on the roadway. Mobile phone footage recorded shortly before 3:00 AM captured one intoxicated man climbing the monument, performing obscene sexual gestures, and uttering derogatory remarks while an accomplice filmed the act. The unedited video quickly circulated across social media networks, triggering widespread outrage across the island.
Police intervention and legal proceedings
Gendarmerie officers apprehended both suspects, aged 21 and 24 (with one report citing the second as 23), on Thursday morning approximately 200 metres from the roundabout while they were still intoxicated. On 2 October 2026, the Ajaccio public prosecutor's office announced formal charges against both men for aggravated group damage to the statue and sexual exhibitionism. Both the municipality of Porto-Vecchio and the local parish filed criminal complaints in response to the destruction. Under the terms of their judicial supervision, the two hospitality workers were ordered to leave Corsica immediately and report regularly to police stations in their home departments until their trial on 16 November 2026.
- Statue of the Virgin Mary is erected at the Stabiacciu roundabout at the request of Father Constant.
- Two seasonal workers desecrate the statue shortly before 3:00 AM and are arrested 200 metres away.
- Residents protest outside the Porto-Vecchio gendarmerie and place a wooden coffin before the gates.
- Ajaccio prosecutor places the suspects under judicial supervision requiring immediate departure from Corsica.
- Trial of the two suspects scheduled to take place before the criminal court.
Community protests in Porto-Vecchio
The circulation of the video prompted swift public mobilization across southern Corsica on Thursday afternoon. Hundreds of residents, including families, workers, students, and Figari mayor Jean Giuseppi, gathered at the vandalized roundabout and outside the local gendarmerie station. During the demonstration, a local funeral director assisted by residents delivered a wooden coffin to the entrance gates of the gendarmerie. The protesters affixed pieces of paper bearing the names of the two suspects onto the coffin to express their opposition to the act. Demonstrators emphasized local cultural and spiritual traditions, declaring that such behavior would not be tolerated in Corsica.
Political responses and public apology
Local and regional officials issued immediate statements condemning the desecration while urging calm. Porto-Vecchio mayor Jean-Christophe Angelini confirmed that the municipality will replace the damaged sculpture as quickly as possible and denounced the incident.
On behalf of the City, as well as in my personal name, I strongly condemn this unqualifiable act.
Other regional political figures echoed the condemnation while addressing the social tensions surrounding seasonal workers. Bonifacio mayor Jean-Charles Orsucci expressed his view on social media regarding the suspects presence on the island.
If I were the author of this profanation, I would question the reasons for my presence in Corsica. By not respecting the values and traditions of our island, he is no longer welcome here.
Bastia mayor Gilles Simeoni acknowledged widespread shock and anger across Corsica while calling on the public to reject demagogy and let the penal system handle the case. Following the backlash, one of the suspects published a statement on Snapchat claiming that severe intoxication impaired his judgment, acknowledging the lack of respect and apologizing to everyone offended by his actions.
