David Balland, co-founder of cryptocurrency company Ledger, and his wife released after being kidnapped by several kidnappers

The perpetrators demanded a large ransom. Ten people were arrested, according to the Paris prosecutor. The entrepreneur was hospitalized after a “mutilation of the hand”.

A night of ordeal. David Balland, partner and co-founder of the company Ledger, a world leader in the design of physical cryptocurrency wallets, was released by the police on Wednesday January 22, after being kidnapped the day before from his home near Vierzon ( Dear), announced Thursday the Paris prosecutor’s office. His wife, also kidnapped Tuesday morning and held captive at another address, was also rescued, notably by the GIGN.

As part of the investigation opened for kidnapping and sequestration by an organized gang, ten people, nine men and one woman, were arrested, announced the Paris prosecutor, Laure Beccuau, in the evening. A judicial investigation will be opened on Friday, in particular for “kidnapping and sequestration by an organized gang”, “acts of torture or barbarism” as well as “extortion with weapons”, she said.

“The criminals demanded payment of a large ransom in cryptocurrencies”detailed the prosecution, which recalls that“il This is a crime punishable by life imprisonment.” After his release, David Balland was hospitalized for “hand mutilation”said the prosecutor Thursday evening.