Prosecutor Demands Life Imprisonment Without Parole for Dahbia Benkired in Lola Murder Trial
The prosecutor has demanded life imprisonment without parole for Dahbia Benkired in the high-profile murder case of 12-year-old Lola Daviet, marking the first time a woman faces such a sentence in France.
- • The prosecutor demanded life imprisonment without parole for Dahbia Benkired, accused of murdering 12-year-old Lola.
- • This sentence, called 'perpétuité incompressible,' is the harshest under French law and rarely applied, with only five prior cases.
- • Experts confirmed Dahbia was mentally competent during the crime, indicating high risk of reoffending.
- • Far-right protests called for the death penalty, but Lola’s family urged against politicizing the tragedy.
Key details
On October 24, 2025, the public prosecutor in Paris demanded life imprisonment without the possibility of parole — known in French law as "perpétuité incompressible" — for 27-year-old Dahbia Benkired. She faces charges for the brutal rape, torture, and murder of 12-year-old Lola Daviet, which occurred in October 2022. This sentence, the harshest under French law, aims to protect society and prevent any future crimes by the accused, who is considered extremely dangerous.
The prosecutor recounted the harrowing 97-minute ordeal during which Dahbia Benkired abducted Lola, subsequently murdering her and attempting to conceal the crime. Experts confirmed Dahbia's mental faculties were intact during the offense, underscoring the high risk of reoffending. The case has deeply affected law enforcement and experts involved. Despite calls from far-right groups outside the court for the death penalty—reflecting public outrage—Lola's family urged restraint and showed remarkable composure.
Notably, Dahbia Benkired is the first woman in France to face the "perpétuité incompressible," a sentence introduced in 1994 and rarely applied, with only five prior instances, mostly involving pedophile murderers or terrorists like Salah Abdeslam. This sentence disallows early release or reduction, though a review for possible release can occur after 30 years.
Lola's family, particularly her mother Delphine Daviet, has called Dahbia a "monster," advocating for the maximum penalty. The trial continues as France confronts the gravity of this tragic case, which marked a grim anniversary since Lola's burial three years ago.