A 27-year-old woman from Algeria, Dahbia Benkired, was stoic as she received a historic sentence in France, becoming the first woman to be handed a life imprisonment without parole for the rape, torture, and murder of a 12-year-old schoolgirl named Lola Divet in Paris.
Benkired admitted to the heinous crimes, where she abducted Lola, subjected her to brutal acts, including rape and throat slashing, before suffocating her with tape. The victim’s family referred to Benkired as a “monster devil” as they expressed their anguish during the court proceedings.
While the verdict was delivered, Benkired remained unemotional, in contrast to Lola’s grieving mother and brother, who embraced each other in tears. The case garnered significant public attention, leading to protests outside the court ahead of the sentencing.
The court heard that Benkired’s actions warranted a life sentence due to the extreme cruelty inflicted on Lola, with prosecutors emphasizing the necessity to protect society from Benkired’s dangerous nature. Benkired is expected to face similar stringent confinement measures as other high-profile prisoners like Salah Abdeslam, the Belgian terrorist involved in the Paris attacks of 2015.
Outside the court, demonstrators advocated for the reinstatement of the death penalty for Benkired, echoing the sentiments of the Attorney General, who highlighted the gravity of the crimes committed. Lola’s mother, Delphine Daviet, emotionally recounted the devastating impact of losing her daughter to such a horrific act of violence.
The verdict delivered an “irreducible life sentence,” the severest punishment under French law, sparking debate among human rights organizations. Benkired’s sentencing marks a significant moment in French legal history, underscoring the gravity of her actions and the lasting trauma inflicted on Lola’s family.