Dahbia Benkired, a 27-year-old woman from Algeria, has been sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of the brutal rape, torture, and murder of 12-year-old Lola Divet in Paris. The case has garnered significant public attention and outrage in France, particularly following the horrific details of the crime. Benkired confessed to abducting Lola from the lobby of her apartment building on 14 October 2022. She raped the schoolgirl and inflicted fatal injuries, slashing her throat with scissors and a box cutter. Afterward, she taped Lola's mouth, leading to her death by suffocation. The victim's family has described Benkired as a "monster devil". In court, Lola's mother, Delphine Daviet, expressed her anguish, stating, "Before this tragedy, we had a very simple family life, very attentive to one another. Everything changed on October 14, 2022, when Lola was abducted." Ms Daviet recalled their last moments together, saying, "I kissed her, I said 'See you later'. Then she encountered this thing – this devil monster. I feel guilty, I couldn't save my Lola. My husband and my son also blame themselves a lot." The Attorney General, addressing the jury, described the crimes as marked by "particular cruelty" and emphasised the need for a life sentence to protect society from Benkired, whom he labelled as extremely dangerous. He stated, "Today you have to judge three crimes... which plunged a family into unspeakable suffering." Prosecutors sought a rare life sentence, known as an "irreducible life sentence", which is the harshest penalty under French law. This type of sentence has faced criticism from human rights organisations. Following the verdict, demonstrators gathered outside the court, calling for the reinstatement of the death penalty in response to the crime. The Attorney General highlighted the need for Benkired to spend the rest of her life behind bars, stating, "There is a maximum risk of her reoffending." Lola's mother concluded with a heart-wrenching plea, asking, "Why us, why Lola? My mother’s heart is forever broken." The case continues to resonate deeply within the community, reflecting the profound impact of such violent crimes on families and society.