French police detain twenty suspects over cryptocurrency kidnappings

Published on 27/05/2025 - 17:58 GMT+2

French constabulary person arrested astir 20 group alleged to person been progressive successful a caller spate of kidnappings and kidnapping attempts against cryptocurrency bosses and their families.

The arrests took spot connected Monday and Tuesday, according to media outlet Franceinfo.

French media reported that half a twelve suspects were taken into custody connected Tuesday successful relationship pinch nan attempted kidnapping of nan girl of cryptocurrency leader Pierre Noizat earlier this month.

The attack, which took spot successful wide daylight connected 13 May, shocked France. Assailants were filmed trying to kidnap Noizat's pregnant daughter, who was retired for a locomotion pinch her partner and their child.

Tuesday's arrests came aft a twelve different group were detained successful nan commune of Couëron, adjacent nan occidental French metropolis of Nantes, connected Monday.

In consequence to nan expanding number of convulsive attacks against cryptocurrency professionals and their families, French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau convened an emergency gathering pinch manufacture leaders successful mid-May.

During nan meeting, Retailleau outlined ways of ensuring their security, including a scheme to springiness them entree to typical emergency interaction numbers.

"These serial kidnappings will beryllium combated pinch circumstantial tools, some contiguous and short-term, to prevent, deter and inhibit successful bid to protect nan industry," Retailleau said aft nan meeting.

"The full authorities servants of nan state is afloat mobilised to way down nan perpetrators and instigators of this unit and put them retired of action", he added.