Five young suspects arrested near Lyon after kidnapping of grenoble magistrate

Sunday 08 - 15:00

By: Sahili Aya

Five young suspects arrested near Lyon after kidnapping of grenoble magistrate

French authorities have arrested five young suspects near Lyon following the kidnapping and detention of a magistrate from Grenoble and her mother, a case that has deeply shaken the judicial community.

According to prosecutors, the arrests took place between late Saturday night and Sunday morning in the Lyon metropolitan area. The suspects, four men and one woman aged between 18 and 20, are believed to have played varying roles in the abduction, which occurred earlier in the week.

Investigators say the two victims, a 35-year-old judge and her mother, were abducted in southeastern France and held for nearly 24 hours in a locked garage. They were later found injured and tied up, but managed to escape when their captors temporarily left the location.

Authorities revealed that the kidnappers allegedly demanded a ransom of approximately 1.6 million euros, to be paid in cryptocurrency, from the magistrate’s husband, who is reportedly involved in a technology startup linked to digital assets. No payment was ultimately made.

Police sources indicated that three of the suspects are suspected of direct involvement in the kidnapping, while another allegedly provided logistical support. The group was reportedly planning to flee abroad before being intercepted. The investigation remains ongoing under the supervision of specialized prosecutors.