David Balland, a co-founder of the French crypto firm Ledger, was kidnapped along with his wife.
David Balland, a co-founder of the French cryptocurrency firm Ledger, and his wife were freed this week after being brutally kidnapped and held for ransom, French authorities announced on Thursday. Balland sustained severe injuries to his hand during the ordeal.
The couple was abducted early on Tuesday from their home in Vierzon, central France, and held captive at two separate locations. They were freed in a police operation involving more than 90 officers from France’s elite GIGN. Balland was rescued on Wednesday, and his wife was released the following day, found tied up but unharmed.Balland, who left Ledger in 2021, was hospitalized for his injuries.
Ledger, founded in 2014, is one of France’s leading cryptocurrency companies, known for its hardware wallets for crypto asset storage.
The kidnappers demanded a ransom in cryptocurrency, part of which was paid. Authorities have traced, frozen, and seized most of the cryptocurrency involved. As of Thursday, 10 suspects, many of whom are known to the police, are being questioned.
The investigation involved over 230 officers and led to the couple’s safe rescue without any shots being fired. According to Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau, the kidnappers contacted another Ledger co-founder and demanded a substantial ransom. Investigators are still determining the exact amount requested.
The investigation continues as authorities question the suspects, with potential charges carrying life sentences if convicted.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to China next week for talks with President Xi Jinping, to attend a regional security summit, and to appe...
U.S. President Donald Trump has cancelled Secret Service protection for Democratic Presidential candidate and former Vice President, Kamala Harris acc...
Georgia’s ruling party is pointing to recent remarks by former USAID Administrator Samantha Power as evidence that U.S. aid programs are used to inf...
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that Afghanistan is facing a worsening humanitarian and health crisis in 2025, with millions of returni...
A woman pinned beneath concrete, a man with a badly broken leg, a child trapped under the rubble....
Britain, France and Germany are likely to trigger United Nations sanctions on Iran on Thursday over its nuclear programme according to sources, while giving Tehran 30 days to make commitments. Inspectors have returned for the first time since June, as talks have yet to yield concrete agreements.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for the 28th of August, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Business leaders in France have expressed concern over the economic impact of the ongoing crisis in government triggering fears of a recession.
France’s minority government looks increasingly likely to be ousted next month after three main opposition parties said they would not back a confidence vote which Prime Minister François Bayrou announced for 8 September over his plans for sweeping €44 billion budget cuts.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
According to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ), a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck the Oaxaca region of Mexico on Saturday.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to China next week for talks with President Xi Jinping, to attend a regional security summit, and to appear as Xi’s “main guest” at a military parade on Beijing’s Tiananmen Square, the Kremlin announced on Friday.
U.S. President Donald Trump has cancelled Secret Service protection for Democratic Presidential candidate and former Vice President, Kamala Harris according to a senior White House official.
Georgia’s ruling party is pointing to recent remarks by former USAID Administrator Samantha Power as evidence that U.S. aid programs are used to influence political regimes abroad. The comments, made during a prank interview, have fueled debate in Tbilisi over sovereignty, NGOs, and foreign funding.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that Afghanistan is facing a worsening humanitarian and health crisis in 2025, with millions of returning refugees expected to stretch the country’s already fragile health system.
A woman pinned beneath concrete, a man with a badly broken leg, a child trapped under the rubble.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment