Twenty-two defendants, including former intelligence agents, police officers, and businessmen, have gone on trial in France on charges of murder and other serious crimes linked to a masonic lodge accused of running a mafia network. The trial, which opened in Paris, centres on the Athanor lodge in the suburb of Puteaux.
Prosecutors allege the group carried out murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault, and criminal conspiracy on behalf of the lodge. Thirteen defendants face possible life sentences. Among the accused are four Freemasons from the lodge, four officers from France's DGSE foreign intelligence service, three police officers, and several executives. Most have no previous criminal record.
The alleged ringleaders are Jean-Luc Bagur, Frédéric Vaglio, and Daniel Beaulieu, all lodge members, along with Sébastien Leroy, accused of organising the violence. The case was triggered by a failed contract killing in July 2020, when two paratroopers were arrested near the home of business coach Marie-Hélène Dini. They claimed they believed they were acting on behalf of the French state, targeting Dini for allegedly working for Mossad.
Investigators linked the plot to Bagur, the lodge's 'venerable master', who allegedly sought to have Dini 'eliminated' for €70,000. Vaglio acted as intermediary, and Beaulieu led the hit squad. Leroy admitted in custody to carrying out assaults, robberies, and killings, including the murder of racing driver Laurent Pasquali in 2018.
Leroy claimed he believed he was acting for the government and that Beaulieu had manipulated him. Dini's lawyer expressed concern that key figures in the case were those meant to protect society. The trial is expected to last at least three months.
