French masonic lodge at heart of murky murder trialThe defendants include four officers in France's DGSE foreign intelligence service, three police officers and six business executives. (Photo: AFP)PARIS — Twenty-two people are to stand trial in France from Monday on charges of murder and other serious crimes centred on a Masonic lodge accused of running hit squads. The 22 are accused of murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault and criminal conspiracy on behalf of a mafia network inside the Athanor Masonic Lodge in the Paris suburb of Puteaux. Other defendants include four officers from France's DGSE foreign intelligence service, three police officers, six business executives, a security guard, a doctor and an engineer. Escalating crimesInvestigators discovered a link to Bagur, who is a business coach rival of Dini's as well as being the 69-year-old "venerable master" of the Athanor lodge.

Source: Bangkok Post March 30, 2026 04:42 UTC