Paris Police Detain Suspects in Mohamed Al Fayed Trafficking Inquiry
Arrests followed the first searches of the Paris Ritz and two other properties in a joint investigation with British authorities.
By Meera Fletcher ·
French police arrested several individuals in a probe into the abuse of the late billionaire Mohamed Al Fayed.
The arrests were made after investigators searched three properties in October. The sites included the Ritz hotel in central Paris, the Villa Windsor in western Paris, and the Villa Sainte-Thérèse in Saint-Tropez.
The Paris prosecutor's office confirmed that several people were taken into custody for questioning in October. They were released after their interviews. Investigators are currently analyzing digital material seized during the operations.
The Metropolitan Police said its officers were present during the searches on October 13 and 14. This marked the first time any arrests have been made in connection with alleged abuse and trafficking by the former owner of Harrods and the Ritz.
French authorities described the case as a preliminary investigation into allegations of human trafficking and aggravated pimping by an organized group. Rape charges are also part of the inquiry. Several victims were interviewed by French investigators during the process.
Al Fayed, who died in 2023 at age 94, bought the Ritz Paris in 1979. The property remains in the family. The Villa Windsor in Paris was a family holiday home. It was previously the residence of King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson.
More than 20 women accused Al Fayed of sexual assault in a BBC documentary and podcast released in September 2024. Since those allegations, more than 400 alleged victims or witnesses have contacted lawyers. One woman told BBC Scotland she was trafficked and held prisoner on the Balnagown Estate by Al Fayed's brother, Salah Fayed, who died in 2010.
Police Scotland is also conducting further investigations into allegations linked to the Balnagown Estate. A spokesperson for the force said three people have been identified in connection with offending against multiple victims. Inquiries in Scotland are ongoing.
The group Justice for Fayed and Harrods Survivors welcomed the cooperation between the Met and French authorities. The group asked for all properties owned by Al Fayed to be investigated with the same thoroughness to ensure no evidence is overlooked.
The survivor advocacy group No One Above said France is treating the case as organized human trafficking led by specialists. The group called on the National Crime Agency to take over the investigation from the Metropolitan Police. The Ritz Paris management told AFP news agency that it does not tolerate harassment or abuse and is ready to cooperate fully with judicial authorities.
