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First conviction: woman sentenced to life imprisonment without release!
Dahbia Benkired is the first woman in France to be sentenced to perpétuité incompressible for the murder of 12-year-old Lola.
First conviction: woman sentenced to life imprisonment without release!
On October 24, 2025, a landmark verdict was handed down at the Paris Assizes Court: Dahbia Benkired was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of early release for the murder and rape of 12-year-old Lola. This represents a rare case in French jurisprudence, as Benkired is the first woman to suffer this draconian punishment, the so-called perpétuité incompressible, was convicted.
The sentence means she has no option for early release for 30 years. Only after this time can she submit an application to have her prison conditions reviewed - this is the rule in France. The judges will then decide whether she will receive a reduced sentence or remain in custody. After this verdict, there may be a possibility that Dahbia Benkired will apply for a reduced sentence in 2055, at the age of 87, according to information from ledauphine.com.
Background to life imprisonment
The perpétuité incompressible is a non-shortenable prison sentence imposed in France for the most serious crimes, including murder of minors under 15 years old in conjunction with rape or barbaric acts. This was specifically established after the introduction of Law 94-89 in 1994, which arose in response to public outrage following the murder of an 8-year-old girl in Perpignan.
To be released from prison after 30 years, Benkired must demonstrate serious attempts at rehabilitation and prove that her release does not pose a threat to public order. The process for possible dismissal will be evaluated by a commission of five judges from the Cour de cassation. In addition, feedback from victims is crucial in this process, as the legislation provides.
To date, only nine people have been sentenced to this sentence in France, which underlines the weight of this decision. Well-known names among those convicted are Michel Fourniret and Salah Abdeslam, who went down in history for their serious crimes. Critics such as the lawyer Martin Vettes take the position that it will hardly be possible for Benkired to successfully reintegrate into society after all these years.
In summary, the verdict against Dahbia Benkired sends a strong message in the French justice system and re-ignites the discussion about the possibilities of rehabilitation and the severity of life sentences.