Paris (France) (AFP) - French police on Tuesday raided two properties in Paris linked to Mohamed al-Fayed, the Ritz hotel and the Villa Windsor, in an investigation into an alleged international network that trafficked women for the late millionaire, prosecutors told AFP.
First modification: 10/11/2026 - 13:45
The operations are part of a case that began in 2025 with an order to locate the accomplices of the late Egyptian magnate, former owner of the luxurious London department store Harrods, and his brother, Salah al-Fayed.
The Paris Prosecutor's Office states that several people were arrested for questioning and that the authorities will analyze computers, phones and other digital media.
Authorities have also carried out operations at Mohamed al-Fayed's former property on the Côte d'Azur, the Castel Sainte-Thérèse, in Saint-Tropez.
The Egyptian-born tycoon died in 2023 at the age of 94 without any charges being brought against him, despite the multiple complaints filed against him. He owned the Ritz, Harrods and the Fulham football club.
He lived for periods at Villa Windsor, the famous former residence of British royalty located in the Bois de Boulogne, west of Paris, which the Al-Fayed family had converted into their favorite holiday residence in the French capital.
The victims claim to have suffered abuse in all of these places.
In 2025, the Paris prosecutor's office opened an investigation into alleged crimes of aggravated human trafficking, pimping and rape, in order to shed light on an alleged network and locate accomplices.
The French anti-trafficking unit has spoken to at least five complainants.
At the same time, judicial proceedings are being carried out in the United Kingdom regarding alleged sexual abuse in which Mohamed Al-Fayed would be involved.
© 2026 AFP
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