French Court Sentences 'Athanor' Criminal Cell Members to Up to 30 Years

A French court has delivered its verdict in the "Athanor" case, sentencing key members of a criminal organization to up to 30 years in prison. The group, active between 2016 and 2020, orchestrated intimidation, assaults, and murder contracts across France. The elaborate network intertwined former intelligence agents from the DGSE with members of a Masonic lodge, targeting high-profile individuals including a race car driver and a union leader.

After a lengthy trial spanning three and a half months, the special criminal court handed down sentences to the main figures. Frédéric Vaglio, described as a charismatic businessman and networker, received 25 years, while Daniel Beaulieu, a former high-ranking official in domestic intelligence (DCRI), was given the heaviest sentence of 30 years. Their "enforcer," Sébastien Leroy, tasked with carrying out the criminal contracts, was sentenced to 27 years. Throughout the proceedings, Vaglio and Beaulieu blamed each other for their descent into crime, depicting their relationship as one of manipulation and false pretenses.

However, five individuals were acquitted. Among them was Dylan B., who had faced a 20-year sentence for his alleged involvement in the murder of rally driver Laurent Pasquali. He consistently proclaimed his innocence and was acquitted based on reasonable doubt. A couple, Alain and Nancy M., were also acquitted, with the court finding they had not given instructions for a murder. The cell's operations were allegedly built around a Masonic lodge in the Hauts-de-Seine region, named Athanor, and the collaboration between Vaglio and Beaulieu.