A Paris court has sentenced 27-year-old Dahbia Benkired to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for the rape, torture, and murder of 12-year-old Lola Daviet in 2022.
This landmark ruling marks the first time a woman in France has received such a sentence since the country’s penal code was introduced in 1994.
The verdict was delivered on October 24, 2025, after a week-long trial that gripped the nation. Benkired, who was born in Algeria, was found guilty of luring Lola to her sister’s apartment in the same building where the victim lived with her parents. There, she subjected the young girl to horrific abuse, including sexual assault and mutilation, before suffocating her with duct tape.
The court heard that Benkired’s actions were “extremely cruel” and caused “indescribable psychological harm” to the victim and her family. The judge emphasized that the sentence was necessary to protect society from individuals like Benkired, who pose a significant threat to public order.
During the trial, Benkired remained largely emotionless, showing no remorse for her actions. When shown photos of the victim, she claimed to feel “indifferent.” Experts testified that Benkired exhibited psychopathic tendencies, with a high risk of reoffending, and was of “normal intelligence” with no signs of mental illness.
The case has sparked intense debate about France’s immigration policies and the handling of individuals with expired visas. Benkired was under an expulsion order at the time of the murder, having overstayed her student visa.
Lola’s family welcomed the verdict, with her mother saying it brought them some sense of justice. “I’m glad the court recognized the severity of her crimes,” she said, fighting back tears. The family had been seeking the harshest possible sentence, and the court’s decision has been seen as a significant step towards holding perpetrators accountable for such heinous crimes.
The sentence also highlights the need for a more nuanced discussion about mental health and immigration policies in France. As the country grapples with the complexities of this case, one thing is clear: the life sentence handed down to Dahbia Benkired serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of such atrocities.
