French police arrest six suspects for allegedly kidnapping a judge and extorting cryptocurrency

According to Odaily, French police have arrested six suspects involved in the kidnapping of a judge and his mother. According to Agence France-Presse, the 35-year-old judge and his 67-year-old mother were kidnapped during the night from Wednesday to Thursday last week, and were later found injured and trapped in a garage in the Drôme region. Prosecutor Thierry Dran stated that the kidnappers sent photos and messages to the judge's partner, threatening to maim the victims if a cryptocurrency ransom was not paid. The victims eventually escaped with the intervention of neighbors, and no ransom was paid. CertiK stated that such cryptocurrency wrench attacks are evolving into organized crime, with 72 such cases worldwide in 2025, resulting in total losses of 41 million US dollars. Currently, six suspects have been detained, including a minor, and the case is still under further investigation.