Overview
- France has opened an inquiry into possible human trafficking connected to allegations that Mohamed and Salah Al-Fayed ran an organized system of sexual exploitation, according to AFP.
- Several women turned to French authorities after perceiving that UK inquiries focused on isolated incidents rather than a coordinated pattern, with some alleged assaults reported on French soil.
- Rachael Louw says Mohamed Al-Fayed selected her at Harrods in 1993 and required extensive medical checks including gynecological tests, with a document indicating results were shared with Harrods, before she was sent to assist Salah in the south of France where her passport was taken.
- Former Ritz Paris employee Kristina Svensson alleges repeated assaults and attempted rapes by Mohamed Al-Fayed in 1998 and reports staff warnings about microphones and cameras in the hotel.
- British police have recorded reports from 154 women spanning roughly 35 years, while lawyer Eva Joly compares the alleged structure to Jeffrey Epstein’s network and notes both brothers are deceased.