Mr David Balland, a co-founder of French crypto firm Ledger, had his hand mutilated while he and his wife were kidnapped, the Paris prosecutor said, adding that 10 people were being questioned following the freeing of the pair. Mr Balland and his wife were kidnapped early on Jan 21 morning from their home in central France, and were taken by car to two separate addresses where they were held captive, Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau said in a press conference on Jan 23. Mr Balland, who Ledger said no longer worked for the company, was rescued after a police operation on Jan 22 and his wife was freed the following day. During the kidnapping, the kidnappers contacted another Ledger co-founder and demanded a ransom in cryptocurrency, part of which was paid, Ms Beccuau said. The rescue operation involved more than 90 officers from the GIGN, one of France’s elite tactical police units, leading to Mr Balland’s freeing and the arrest of two people. Mr Balland was taken to hospital and treated for injuries to one of his hands, she said, without giving details. Mr Balland’s wife was found tied up but uninjured in a car on Jan 23. “We are deeply […]