A Belgian court has sentenced three individuals to 12 years in prison for their involvement in a cryptocurrency-related kidnapping of the wife of local entrepreneur Stéphane Winkel. The incident occurred in December 2024, when the kidnappers abducted Winkel's wife outside their home, demanding a ransom in cryptocurrency. Following a police chase, the victim was rescued, and the kidnappers were arrested. Besides the prison terms, the court ordered the trio to pay at least 1 million euros in civil damages. The court also noted that the masterminds behind the kidnapping remain unidentified and dismissed the defendants' claims of coercion. Winkel, who operates educational platforms in the cryptocurrency field, has expressed concerns over safety and adjusted his approach to content creation following the traumatic event. He aims to focus more on education and market analysis. This case highlights a disturbing trend in crypto-related kidnappings, reflecting growing dangers for public figures in the cryptocurrency sector.

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