A scenario worthy of a film. David Balland, co -founder of the Cryptomonnaies Ledger company, and his wife were released on Wednesday January 22 after being kidnapped the day before by kidnappers at their home in Méreau, near Vierzon (Cher). Their release was allowed thanks to an important gendarmerie device, in which the GIGN took part, according to the Paris prosecutor's office. The authors claimed an important ransom. Ten suspects were arrested. Judicial information must be opened, In particular for “kidnapping and sequestration in organized gang”, accompanied by “acts of torture or barbarism”, as well as “extortion with weapon”. Here's what we know about this affair.
A rap to fly cryptocurrencies
It all starts on the morning of Tuesday, January 21. The co -founder of the Ledger company, world leader in the design of physical portfolios of cryptocurrenciesis then kidnapped at his home in the Cher. His wife is also removed by the kidnappers. David Balland is taken to Châteauroux (Indre) aboard a car while his partner is kidnapped in several places.
While a Deployment of many gendarmes is observed near Vierzon, rumors on social networks first report the kidnapping of Eric Larchevêque, co -founder of Ledger with David Balland, known for his participation in the program “who wants to be my partner ?” On M6, reports “Here Berry”. It is he who gives the alert after he has Received a video of a mutilated finger from David Balland and a ransom request, according to spokesperson for the gendarmerie.
Ravisseurs require a “Important ransom in cryptocurrency”According to the Paris prosecutor, Laure Beccuau, whose national jurisdiction to combat organized crime (Junalco) is responsible for investigations. “A part” of this “Rançon was paid as part of the negotiation” with the police, but “The majority of cryptocurrencies have been seized and frozen”also detailed Laure Beccuau, without specifying the amount.
The paid couple thanks to the GIGN
An important device was deployed after the kidnapping of the co -founder of the Ledger company. David Balland was finally released on Wednesday, the day after the abduction, by the gendarmerie in Châteauroux, where he was kidnapped. Its release was notably made possible thanks to the mobilization of the GIGN, deployed on site. Two suspects were immediately arrested and David Balland was hospitalized due to his mutilation.
-His partner, who was not found, was found in Etampes (Essonne), more than 150 km from his home, Thanks to the exploitation of phones and tracks collected during the first hearings. The GIGN found it “tied up in the trunk in a vehicle” In this town located south of Paris, according to the prosecutor Laure Beccuau.
Ten suspects were arrested
Ten people were in police custody Thursday evening. Three suspects were arrested in Châteauroux (Indre) and six others in Etampes (Essonne). A tenth person was arrested, without the Paris prosecutor's office specifying where. Aged 20 to 40, these nine men and a woman were known to justice for facts of ordinary law, but not for links with organized crime, according to the prosecutor Laure Beccuau.
Asked about the possibility of an unidentified sponsor, the representative of the public prosecutor simply replied that the investigations were continuing for “Identify all actors” of this removal. Judicial information must be opened on Friday, in particular for “kidnapping and sequestration in an organized gang”, accompanied by “acts of torture or barbarism” as well as “extortion with weapon”.
