In a historic ruling, Dahbia Benkired, a 27-year-old woman from Algeria, was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the rape, torture, and murder of 12-year-old Lola Divet in Paris, France. Benkired, labeled a “monster devil” by the victim’s family, admitted to abducting Lola, raping her, and fatally injuring her with scissors and a box cutter. Following the grim acts, Benkired suffocated Lola by taping her mouth, leading to her tragic death.
During the sentencing, Benkired remained impassive while Lola’s mother and brother, Delphine and Thibault Daviet, were visibly distraught, embracing each other in tears. The court session, which attracted significant public interest and protests, concluded with Benkired being handed a life imprisonment term for her atrocious crimes.
The severity of Benkired’s actions prompted comparisons to other high-profile criminals, such as Salah Abdeslam, a Belgian terrorist involved in the 2015 Paris attacks. Abdeslam, currently in solitary confinement under strict surveillance, is serving a similar life sentence. Benkired is expected to undergo comparable monitoring in her high-security incarceration.
Advocates outside the court demanded the reinstatement of the death penalty for Benkired, echoing the sentiments of French prosecutors seeking an exceptional life imprisonment sentence. The Attorney General remarked that Benkired targeted Lola for her own gratification, emphasizing the need for society to be shielded from Benkired’s extreme danger through permanent incarceration.
Characterizing Benkired as highly perilous, the Attorney General stressed the necessity of a life sentence to prevent potential recidivism. The “irreducible life sentence,” the sternest punishment within French law, has faced criticism from human rights organizations for its severity.
Delphine Daviet, Lola’s mother, expressed profound anguish in court, recounting the family’s shattered tranquility following the tragic events of October 14, 2022. Ms. Daviet lamented her inability to protect Lola from the heinous acts of Benkired, questioning why their family had to endure such a devastating loss. The heartbroken mother shared her enduring sorrow over the irreparable damage inflicted upon their lives.