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French court to rule on suspects in Pierre Noizat crypto kidnapping attempts

French police patrol a square near the Louvre in Paris, France, ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics,  26 July 2024.
French police patrol a square near the Louvre in Paris, France, ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics, 26 July 2024. Copyright  AP Photo
Copyright AP Photo
By Estelle Nilsson-Julien
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Twenty-five suspects in two kidnapping attempts linked to the cryptocurrency world, including the family of Paymium CEO Pierre Noizat, face a Paris court on Friday.

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Twenty-five individuals suspected of involvement in two kidnapping attempts earlier in May and targeted individuals tied to the cryptocurrency world are set to appear before a Paris court on Friday.

According to French media reports, magistrates are expected to decide whether or not to indict the suspects.

The suspects are suspected of involvement in the mid-May kidnapping attempt, which targeted the family of Pierre Noizat, the CEO and co-founder of cryptocurrency platform Paymium.

The attack occurred in broad daylight in Paris' 11th arrondissement and sent shockwaves across France after a witness shared a video of the incident on social media.

The suspects' involvement in another kidnapping attempt, which was set be carried out in the city of Nantes, but was foiled on Monday, will also be determined.

Investigators are working to establish whether a single network could be behind the two separate kidnapping attempts.

In response to the increasing number of violent attacks against cryptocurrency professionals and in the aftermath of the attack targeting Noizat's family, French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau convened an emergency meeting with industry leaders in mid-May.

During the meeting, Retailleau outlined ways of ensuring their security, including a plan to give them access to special emergency contact numbers.

"These serial kidnappings will be combated with specific tools, both immediate and short-term, to prevent, deter and hinder in order to protect the industry," Retailleau said after the meeting.

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