Mohamed Al Fayed: French victims call for investigation

French prosecutors are being urged to launch an investigation into allegations of rapes and sexual assault by Mohammed Al Fayed on the Paris Ritz, and into the “cult-like” resort administration that enabled his assaults.

The BBC understands greater than 5 ladies have come ahead with new claims about Al Fayed’s predatory behaviour in France for the reason that BBC first reported the rape allegations in a documentary final week.

A lawyer representing Kristina Svensson, who spoke out within the documentary in regards to the abuse she suffered on the Ritz, stated she plans to ask the Paris prosecutor’s workplace early subsequent week to launch an investigation.

The Ritz didn’t touch upon the requires an investigation.

Ms Svensson, who was govt assistant on the Ritz between 1998 and 2000, stated: “We’re in sufficient of a rage that nothing goes to cease us.”

Within the documentary, Al Fayed: Predator at Harrods, the BBC revealed a number of allegations of rape in opposition to the late billionaire proprietor of London’s most well-known division retailer, together with proof that the corporate not solely didn’t intervene, however helped to cowl up the alleged abuse.

Ms Svensson stated that Al Fayed cultivated an environment “very very like one among a cult, one among a gang, of a mafia” in all his institutions, which additionally included the Ritz.

“There was a vow of omerta,” she stated, referring to the mafia’s code of silence.

She stated she believed “a minimum of 50” individuals who had labored along with her on the Paris Ritz between 1998 and 2000 knew about Al Fayed’s behaviour.

“Folks want to choose their aspect and determine in the event that they have been culpable in any means and selected to stay silent. They should perceive that the authorized groups now we have will depart no stone unturned. I’ve meticulous proof, and I do know others do,” she stated.

Ms Svesson stated: “I feel a full investigation is required. Particular folks… enabled this tradition to exist.”

Anne-Claire Le Jeune, a lawyer who has labored on many instances of sexual abuse, together with the Jeffrey Epstein case, stated that if there are a whole lot of ladies concerned, the prosecutor “has the ethical responsibility to open an investigation to attempt to determine precisely how this abuse might occur”.

Ms Le Jeune stated one other girl had contacted her instantly in current days alleging abuse by Al Fayed. French prosecutors are below no obligation to open an investigation however each Ms Le Jeune and Ms Svensson are hoping elevated media consideration in France could immediate different ladies to return ahead.

It isn’t identified if any complaints about Al Fayed have been made to French authorities whereas he was alive.

“I feel there are a whole lot of managers who now not work there who can be prepared to talk to police about what occurred,” Ms Svensson informed the BBC.

Ms Lejeune stated: “Lots of people might have identified what occurred (on the Ritz). A few of them couldn’t communicate out and I can perceive that. However others perhaps tried to assist Al Fayed to commit his crimes. In order that’s why it is vitally necessary to determine them.”

The Ritz resort, which remains to be owned by the Al Fayed household, has solely made one temporary assertion for the reason that BBC documentary aired, during which it didn’t handle any particular allegations however stated it “strongly condemns any type of behaviour that doesn’t align with the values of the institution.”

The resort, which is situated beside the French Justice Ministry in Place Vendome within the coronary heart of the capital, stays a Paris landmark. It’s maybe finest identified in current a long time because the place the place Princess Diana ate her final meal earlier than her dying, in a automotive beside her associate – Dodi Al Fayed, Mohamed’s son – on 31 August 1997.

Ms Svensson stated her choice to talk out had introduced her “a lot pleasure,” including that lots of Al Fayed’s victims have been now of their 50s and are “at some extent in life the place we’re in a position to muster the braveness” and “don’t need our daughters and grandchildren” to undergo related abuse.