Officers from the organised crime division of the Paris prosecutor’s office interviewed several of Fayed’s alleged
Several people were taken into custody for questioning last month and later released, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Pierre-Louis Crescitz
france, paris, french, ritz, mohamed al fayed, fayed, investigation, police
Key facts
Several people were taken into custody for questioning last month and later released, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Officers from the organised crime division of the Paris prosecutor’s office interviewed several of Fayed’s alleged victims.
Campaign groups representing Fayed’s alleged victims called on the Met police to carry out its own searches of the late billionaire’s properties.
Several people were taken into custody for questioning last month and later released, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Officers from the organised crime division of the Paris prosecutor’s office interviewed several of Fayed’s alleged victims.
The office said the searches formed part of a preliminary investigation into allegations of human trafficking committed by an organised group, aggravated pimping committed by an organised group, and rape.
Campaign groups representing Fayed’s alleged victims called on the Met police to carry out its own searches of the late billionaire’s properties.
Dig deeper
Who is Fayed?
Mohamed Al-Fayed was an Egyptian-born businessman and former owner of Harrods and the Ritz Paris; he died in 2023 and has been accused of sexual abuse by multiple women.
What is the Paris prosecutor’s office?
It is the French judicial authority that directs criminal investigations in Paris, including through its organised-crime division.
What is the Met police?
The Metropolitan Police is London’s main police force; campaign groups want it to search properties linked to Fayed in Britain.
What do the alleged offences mean?
French investigators are looking at claims of organised human trafficking, organised aggravated pimping (profiting from prostitution), and rape.
Why does this matter?
A preliminary French investigation is examining whether an organised group exploited alleged victims of the late billionaire, with possible parallel action sought in Britain.