French police raid Ritz hotel in Mohamed Al Fayed sexual abuse investigation
French police have raided three properties including the Ritz hotel in Paris as part of an investigation into sexual abuse and trafficking allegations against Mohamed Al Fayed.
Several individuals were taken into custody for questioning last month and later released, according to the Paris public prosecutor's office. The investigation focuses on "allegations of human trafficking committed by an organised group, aggravated pimping committed by an organised group, and rape".
In an email to survivors, the Metropolitan police confirmed its officers were present during the searches on 13 and 14 October, in a coordinated operation with French investigators. The Met spokesperson confirmed its officers travelled to France last month specifically for this operation.
Exclusive properties searched
The searches targeted three properties: the Ritz hotel in Paris's 1st arrondissement, Castel Sainte-Thérèse in Saint-Tropez, and Villa Windsor in the 16th arrondissement of Paris. The Saint-Tropez villa is one of the most exclusive properties on the French Riviera, where Princess Diana stayed with her sons in the summer of 1997 at the beginning of her relationship with Dodi Fayed.
Villa Windsor has a notable history as a former home of Charles de Gaulle before he became president of France, and King Edward VIII after his abdication, along with his wife Wallis Simpson. The investigation is ongoing, with digital material seized during the searches still being analyzed.
Survivors demand action
Campaign groups representing Fayed's alleged victims called on the Met police to conduct its own searches of the late billionaire's properties. Co-chairs of Justice for Fayed and Harrods Survivors, Jen Mills and Lindsay Mason, stated: "We want to see the same thoroughness applied to every property where survivors say they were taken or abused, including here in Britain. The searches in Paris and Saint-Tropez must be the beginning, not the end."
A spokesperson for No One Above collective emphasized that French authorities are treating the case as organized trafficking by a network, contrasting with the Met's approach. "For two years, the Met has avoided treating it as what France recognised from the outset: organised trafficking by a network. The National Crime Agency should now take over the investigation," they said.
Victim accounts and scale
Pelham Spong, who alleges she was trafficked on Fayed's orders in 2008 before being assaulted by him, expressed relief at the French raids. "Survivors deserve actions, not words," she added. Last November, she told French investigators that Fayed had forcibly kissed her and offered her €65,000 a year to sleep with him.
Survivors' groups claim more than 500 women have come forward about abuse allegedly occurring at Harrods, Park Lane, Fulham football club, the Ritz Paris, and other Fayed-owned properties. The Met is currently investigating 169 victims who have contacted the force directly.
The Ritz Paris stated it "does not tolerate any form of harassment, abuse or inappropriate behaviour" and is ready "to cooperate fully with the competent judicial authorities." The investigation represents a significant development in the long-running allegations against the late businessman.
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