In a verdict that has stunned France and set a legal precedent, a Paris court has sentenced Dahbia Benkired to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for the rape, torture, and murder of 12-year-old Lola Daviet—a crime that has gripped the nation and ignited fierce debate over immigration and justice.
A Crime That Shook France
On Friday, October 24, 2025, 27-year-old Dahbia Benkired became the first woman in French history to receive an "irreducible life sentence," the harshest penalty under French law, which excludes any chance of early release or sentence reduction. The court cited the "extreme cruelty" and "unspeakable psychological damage" inflicted on Lola and her family as justification for this unprecedented punishment.
Lola Daviet, a schoolgirl living in northeast Paris, disappeared after returning home from school on October 14, 2022. Her parents, who worked as caretakers in their building, raised the alarm when she failed to return. Hours later, her body was discovered stuffed inside a plastic trunk in the building’s lobby—a detail that horrified the public and dominated headlines.
The Investigation and Trial
Surveillance footage revealed Benkired, an Algerian national who was homeless and staying at her sister’s apartment in the same building, meeting Lola shortly after 3 p.m. that day. Investigators determined that Benkired raped, tortured, and ultimately suffocated the girl before attempting to dispose of her body.
During the trial, Benkired apologized for her "horrible" actions. However, psychiatric experts testified that she exhibited "psychopathic" tendencies and showed no signs of a treatable mental illness. The prosecution argued that only the maximum sentence could reflect the "extreme gravity" and "cruelty" of the crime, as well as the suffering caused to Lola’s family.
Political and Social Fallout
The case quickly became a flashpoint in France’s ongoing debate over immigration. Benkired, who had overstayed a student visa and ignored an order to leave French territory, became the focus of criticism from conservative and far-right politicians. They seized on the tragedy to demand stricter immigration enforcement and to attack government policy.
However, Lola’s mother publicly urged politicians to stop exploiting her daughter’s death for political gain, highlighting the deep emotional toll the case has taken on the victim’s family.
What This Means for France
This landmark sentence is not only a reflection of the severity of Benkired’s crimes but also a signal of the French judiciary’s willingness to impose the harshest penalties in cases of extreme violence, regardless of gender. Legal experts note that life without parole is exceedingly rare in France and has never before been handed down to a woman.
The case has also reignited national conversations about the intersection of crime, immigration, and social policy. While some see the verdict as justice served, others warn against allowing such tragedies to fuel xenophobia or undermine the rights of immigrants.
Looking Ahead
As France processes the aftermath of this harrowing case, questions remain about how to balance justice, public safety, and social cohesion. The historic sentence handed to Dahbia Benkired will likely be studied for years to come—not just for its legal significance, but for its impact on French society and politics.
Sources
1. First woman in France sentenced to life without parole for ...
2. Linda Ikeji's Blog | Read Nigerian News, State Updates ...
3. French prosecutors demand maximum sentence for ...
4. About - Perspectives on Terrorism
5. Woman who murdered 12-year-old girl in Paris sentenced ...
6. CRE-10-2025-09-10_PL.xml - European Parliament
7. French court sentences Algerian woman to life for ...
8. Acta literal de los debates - Miércoles 10 de septiembre de 2025
9. France hands historic sentence of life without parole to ...
10. Algerian woman jailed for life for murdering French schoolgirl
