PANews reported on February 9th that, according to Decrypt, French police have arrested six suspects in connection with a kidnapping and ransom demand for cryptocurrency. A 35-year-old local judge and his 67-year-old mother were kidnapped from their home on Wednesday or Thursday night last week and held captive in a garage in the Drôme department. Prosecutors stated that the kidnappers sent photos of the victims to the judge's absent partner and demanded a cryptocurrency ransom, threatening to harm the hostages if payment was not made promptly.

The two victims escaped after a neighbor heard the commotion and intervened. Police subsequently launched a large-scale manhunt with 160 officers. Prosecutors confirmed that no ransom was ultimately paid. The prosecution stated that formal charges are expected to be filed in the coming days.