Moroccan police have arrested a dual-national French-Moroccan man wanted for an alleged connection with a series of kidnappings in France that targetted individuals with crypto holdings, Reuters reported on June 4, citing a source familiar with the case.

According to the source, Moroccan police identified the man as Bajjou Badiss Mohamed AmiDe, who is 24 years old and was subject to an Interpol red notice issued by French authorities. 

Charges against him include organized crime, kidnapping, and extortion. He will be prosecuted in Morocco due to his dual nationality, with French prosecutors having already transmitted the necessary case files to their Moroccan counterparts.

French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin acknowledged the arrest in a post on social media, and thanked Moroccan authorities but did not comment further on the case. 

Moroccan officials confirmed that the suspect will not be extradited and will face trial locally under the criminal charges issued by France.

Rise in crypto-linked kidnappings

The arrest follows a wave of violent attacks on crypto entrepreneurs in France, prompting Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau to implement emergency protections. 

Reports on May 16 revealed that the government has begun offering private security consultations and home assessments to individuals deemed to be at risk.

Retailleau, who met privately with crypto founders, said the goal is to stop what he called “unbearable” attacks. 

According to Ledger co-founder Éric Larchevêque, France has witnessed 14 of the 50 known global attacks on cryptocurrency figures in the past year.

Recent cases include a January abduction of Larchevêque’s associates and a May 14 attempted kidnapping of Paymium CEO Pierre Noizat’s daughter in Paris, caught on video. 

In another case, police arrested seven suspects after the finding of a victim with a severed finger. Noizat warned that more violence would occur unless the judiciary responded with greater urgency.

The Interior Ministry’s actions aim to prevent further escalation as France attempts to maintain its position as a hub for digital finance. Proceedings against Bajjou will continue under Moroccan jurisdiction.

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