David Balland, the co-founder of the French cryptocurrency hardware wallet company Ledger, was kidnapped along with his wife, suffering severe injuries to one of his hands. The couple was abducted from their home in central France on January 21, beginning a harrowing 48-hour ordeal. Details have emerged following Balland’s recent release, indicating that they were held captive at separate locations. According to Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau, the kidnappers demanded and partially received a cryptocurrency ransom.
In a dramatic rescue operation, over 90 officers from GIGN, France’s elite tactical police force, successfully freed Balland on January 22. His wife was found unharmed the following day, tied up in a vehicle in the Essonne region. Balland sustained injuries to his hand during the ordeal and is currently receiving medical treatment while authorities continue their investigation. Ten individuals are being questioned in connection with this targeted crime.
Although Balland has not been affiliated with Ledger since 2021, the company’s CEO, Pascal Gauthier, expressed relief over the couple’s safety. “We are deeply relieved that David and his wife have been released and are now safe,” Gauthier stated. He also emphasized the importance of respecting law enforcement’s requests for safeguarding critical details of the ongoing investigation.
Twitter Text:
🚨 The shocking kidnapping of Ledger’s co-founder David Balland and his wife ended in a dramatic rescue. Balland, injured during the ordeal, is now safe. #Ledger #Cryptocurrency #RescueOperation
