French authorities have disrupted a kidnapping plot that targeted 26 celebrities, including Real Madrid footballer Kylian Mbappe. The scheme allegedly involved a gang led by an 18-year-old identified as Clement L., who was already in pre-trial detention for pimping and organized robbery charges.
According to reports, the gang leader orchestrated the plot from his prison cell using two mobile phones under the alias Lester Z. Prison guards discovered the phones, which contained the addresses of the targeted wealthy individuals. The list reportedly included Mbappe, a Chinese businessman, jewelers, and a Turkish meat trader. A source close to the investigation told Le Parisien that the gang leader expressed interest in targeting a rapper and Mbappe specifically.
During questioning, the teenager denied being the mastermind behind the plot. He requested release from solitary confinement, stating his desire to resume his vocational cooking studies and become a chef. However, the court ruled that he must remain in solitary confinement while the investigation continues. The scope of the plot and the identities of the other 25 potential targets have not been fully disclosed.