# French Crypto Holder Sentenced to Prison After Defensive Shooting A man received a 30-month sentence for firing at kidnappers in Vendée, France. - **Source:** [Bitcoin News](https://brifing.si/source/d8aeaf1e-9839-4dad-9d25-7a6bf3fbeef8) - **Published:** 2026-11-07 - **Topic:** [world](https://brifing.si/c/world) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/9745d221-e95a-4142-92f1-c5101436095a ## Prison Sentence for Victim A 23-year-old French man, identified as Ayman R., was sentenced to 30 months in prison on November 4. The court ruled that his decision to fire a Glock pistol at individuals attempting to enter his father's residence constituted an act of revenge rather than a legitimate claim of self-defense. ## Escalation of Wrench Attacks The incident in Vendée highlights a growing trend of violent crimes targeting cryptocurrency holders in France. Known as wrench attacks, these incidents involve physical coercion to gain access to digital assets. Authorities reported over 70 such crypto-related crimes by June, signaling a significant rise in targeted violence against investors. ## Repeated Kidnapping Attempts Ayman R. had been targeted by criminals previously, having survived a kidnapping attempt in 2022 where he was held in a safe in Nantes. His defense lawyer, Jean-Baptiste Colombani, noted that data leaks regarding cryptocurrency holdings have made his client a recurring target for these violent criminal groups. ## The Halloween Shooting Incident On Halloween afternoon, the victim sought refuge at his father’s home after fleeing an initial assault. Thirty minutes later, the same group arrived and attempted to force entry. During the struggle, Ayman R. fired his weapon at an assailant climbing toward the residence, causing the attackers to flee the scene. ## Prosecutor Rejects Self-Defense Claim Vice-prosecutor Olivier Dubief argued that the shooting was not justified because the assailants were already retreating when the shots were fired. The court determined that the immediate danger had passed once the attacker descended from the balcony, rendering the subsequent use of a firearm an act of illegal retaliation. ## Collateral Risk and Evidence The shooting occurred in a residential area while children were present for Halloween festivities. A bullet struck a garage door just meters away from bystanders. Police recovered the weapon at the scene and found a cellphone left behind by the attackers, which confirmed the neighbors' accounts of the forced entry. ## Additional Legal Penalties Beyond the 30-month prison term, the court imposed strict secondary sanctions on the defendant. Ayman R. is now prohibited from carrying any weapons for a period of 15 years. Furthermore, he has been officially ousted from the Vendée region for five years, reflecting the severity of the court's stance. ## Broader Security Implications This case underscores the heightened security risks for high-profile or known cryptocurrency holders in France. Recent reports indicate that even industry leaders, such as Binance France President David Prinçay, have been targeted in home-jacking attempts. These events demonstrate an urgent need for improved personal security measures for digital asset owners. ## Sources covering this story - https://news.bitcoin.com/security/french-crypto-holder-30-months-prison-shooting-attackers/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._