The Currency analytics
By Jean-Luc Maracon
The Amiens court delivered a heavy verdict on Monday. Nine years for the first, five for his accomplice.
The attack took place in a quiet town near Amiens. The two assailants forced their way in at night, armed and determined to leave with a haul of Bitcoin or other cryptos.
No technical expertise. Just raw violence.
Despite everything, the family managed to alert the police. The quick intervention of the officers freed the hostages and apprehended the criminals on the spot.
During the trial, the defense tried to play the youth and naivety card. Lawyers Caroline Dupuis and Julien Martin argued that their clients were manipulated pawns.
Prosecutor Pierre Lefebvre slammed his fist on the table. "The lasting psychological impact on the victims" justifies exemplary sentences, he argued.
And of course, the lawyers are appealing.
The Amiens research brigade dug into the case. Result: the two accused were in contact with a network specializing in digital attacks.
A family member spoke anonymously: "Without them, we wouldn't have made it." He was referring to the police, of course.
Jean-Marc Dufresne, chief of Amiens police, is already considering the future. Additional security measures are being studied to protect residents against such crimes.
The Ministry of the Interior is closely following the case. Gérald Darmanin is considering strengthening resources dedicated to cybercrime.
General attorney Sophie Marchand reiterated on Tuesday. For her, the severity of the sentences reflects the gravity of the acts.
Investigators discovered how the accused targeted the family. An online data leak had given them the initial information.
The judge ordered a supplementary investigation on February 24. He wants to verify if other families in the region are exposed to similar risks.
The cryptocurrency platforms mentioned during the trial remain silent. No official reaction for now.