Sabiani, Simon

Born in Corsica in a large peasant family. In June 1915, as part of an infantry regiment, participated in a fierce battle. He was seriously injured, lost his eye, but did not give up his position. He received honorary military nicknames “ Argon Lion” (at the place of battle) and “Corsican Bayard ” (at the place of birth). He was awarded the Military Medal and the Military Cross of 1914-1918 . In the fields of the First World War, three brothers of Simon Sabiani - Jean-Luc, Joseph and Francois, died.

Returning from the war, Simon Sabiani joined the Socialist Party (SFIO). He formed a party assault group, attacking the assembly of the right. He moved from the SFIO to the Communist Party , where he also created a group of "socialist action."

In 1925 - municipal councilor of the department of Bouches-du-Rhone . In 1929 - 1935 - Vice Mayor of Marseille ^[1] . In 1931 he served as mayor. Relying on the criminality , the Corsican diaspora, Italian and Spanish immigrants, Sabiani actually took control of the city, taking control of the elderly mayor Simeon Flesier ^[2] .

Participated in anti-Nazi actions, was in the League against racism and anti-Semitism. The " Marxist stage" of political activity by Simon Sabiani lasted a total of about 17 years.

In 1936 , like many left-wing activists, disillusioned with Marxism and the PCF, joined the far-right French People’s Party . He joined the Politburo. Belonged to the inner circle of Jacques Dorio ^[3] (whom he knew from the PCF). He led the Marseille party organization, oversaw party relations with the criminal structure of Paul Carbon and Francois Spirito . Distinguished by violent anti-communism .

During the Nazi occupation of France, Sabiani, together with Dorio, stood in the position of collaboration . Collaborated with the occupation authorities and the Vichy government . He put Paul Carbon’s group at the service of the invaders, and connected gangsters to the fight against the Resistance . In May 1944, by order of Sabiani, an operational special group began to operate as part of the PPF, officially carrying out auxiliary functions under the Gestapo ^[4] .

The son of Simon Sabiani - Francois died on the Eastern Front as part of the French Legion . Sabiani Jr. was about to leave for the Resistance, but was forcefully stopped by his father ^[5] .

In the fall of 1944, Simon Sabiani moved to Sigmaringen . After the liberation of France, he was sentenced in absentia to death for treason. He fled to Italy , then to Argentina , from there he moved to Spain . Before his death, he managed to secretly visit France and see his mother. He died in Barcelona , was reburied in Corsica in the family chapel.

The political turns of Simon Sabiani make a strange impression. However, it should be borne in mind that many French politicians did a radical (often shocking ) evolution from the extreme left to the extreme right, from communism to fascism. To the figures of the French People’s Party this applies in particular.

Sabiani's stable positions were not in ideology and politics, but in the functions performed - the administration of Marseilles, criminal shadow control, the leadership of party power structures . The image of Sabiani is formed by the corresponding aesthetics. Relatively strong were his relations with Jacques Doriot.

• Adrien Marche
• Pierre Tettenge