A 24-year-old Moroccan national, suspected of orchestrating abductions aimed primarily at French crypto entrepreneurs, has been taken into custody in Morocco.
Moroccan National Charged with Hostage Detention in Crypto Kidnapping Case
The alleged orchestrator of kidnappings focused primarily on French cryptocurrency magnates was arrested in Morocco following a request from French officials. Badiss Mohamed Amide Bajjou, aged 24, who is also accused of unlawful detention and hostage-taking, was taken into custody in the northern city of Tangier.
As reported by Le Monde, Bajjou is suspected of planning the January abduction of Ledger co-founder David Balland and his partner. French investigators are currently examining the French-Moroccan citizen’s potential role in the failed kidnapping attempt involving the daughter of crypto entrepreneur Pierre Noizat, along with her husband and their child.
According to Bitcoin.com News, the attempt by the group of masked individuals to kidnap Noizat’s daughter was ultimately unsuccessful. However, this incident—alongside additional cases involving the abduction of cryptocurrency entrepreneurs—prompted the French authorities to begin extending enhanced security measures to these individuals and their families.
French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin praised the Moroccan authorities for making the arrest, noting that it reflected the strong and effective cooperation between the two nations.
Darmanin expressed gratitude to Morocco for the arrest, highlighting it as a clear example of the strong judicial collaboration between the two countries, especially in tackling organized crime.
French authorities, according to the Le Monde report, are actively searching for another Moroccan man in his 40s believed to be involved in the abductions. It was noted in the report that the duo had used online platforms to recruit individuals for executing the kidnappings.
Before Bajjou was taken into custody, French officials had detained and filed charges against approximately 25 individuals suspected of participating in the abductions or handling logistical roles. The group included both French-born suspects and others originating from Angola, Russia, and Senegal.
