France is pursuing its own investigation into the Epstein affair, looking at potential crimes committed in the EU country or involving French nationals tied to the US sex offender.
Around 10 new suspected victims have come forward sinceFrancelaunched a probe into late child sex offenderJeffrey Epsteinand his network, Paris' top public prosecutor said Sunday.
France set up a special task force of magistrates in Februaryto probe potential crimes committed in the country or involving French nationals who might be implicated in Epstein's crimes.
The move was triggered bythe US Justice Department releasing the latest trove of documents— known as the "Epstein files" — relating to its investigation into the disgraced financier.
Epstein wasfound hanging in his Manhattan jail cell in 2019while awaiting trial for trafficking underage girls for sex.
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In remarks to RTL Radio, Laure Beccuau said around 20 people had come forward since she urged potential suspected victims to contact authorities in February.
Some of the alleged victims were already known to investigators, Beccuau said, "but we also had new victims come forward, ones we didn't know at all. There are around 10 of them."
"A certain number of them are abroad so the investigators are trying to set up meetings to suit when they are able to come to Paris," she told RTL.
The other victims, known to investigators, included people assaulted by Jean-Luc Brunel, a modeling agent indicted for the rape of minors,who committed suicide while in custody in 2022. Brunel was alsosuspected of having transported and hosted young women for Epstein.
Gerald Marie, a former executive at the prestigious Elite modeling agency, is also facing similar charges, which he denies.
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A possible recruiter for Epstein, Daniel Siad, is under investigation in Paris, following complaints from potential victims, according to French broadcaster BFM.
Beccuau also said the investigating task force was searching through the Epstein files for any names of alleged perpetrators that suspected victims have mentioned.
The names of many high-profile figures, including celebrities, senior politicians and industry leaders, have been referenced in the documents released by the US. Being mentioned in the Epstein files does not necessarily mean an offense has been committed.
