Porto-Vecchio: Two men arrested for profaning Virgin Mary statue

Two young men, aged 21 and 24, have been arrested following the profanation and destruction of a statue of the Virgin Mary in Porto-Vecchio, Corsica. The incident occurred during the night of September 30 to October 1 at the Stabiacciu roundabout.

Video footage recorded by the suspects and shared on social media showed one individual climbing the monument to perform obscene gestures and mimic sexual acts before the statue was ripped from its pedestal. The suspects, identified as seasonal workers, were apprehended by the Gendarmerie after being recognized from the digital evidence.

The act sparked widespread outrage and protests in the local community. Demonstrators gathered at the site of the vandalism and outside the local Gendarmerie, where some placed a coffin inscribed with the suspects' names as a sign of protest. Porto-Vecchio Mayor Jean-Christophe Angelini condemned the act as “unspeakable” and announced that the city would file a formal complaint.

The Ajaccio Prosecutor's Office has charged the men with “serious damage in a group” and “sexual exhibition.” They are currently under judicial control and have been ordered to leave the island of Corsica immediately. They are scheduled to appear before the Ajaccio criminal court on November 16.