Victims in France name 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 girls 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, mentioned 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, mentioned: “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 did not intervene, however helped to cowl up the alleged abuse.

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

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

She mentioned she believed “not less than 50” individuals who had labored together with her on the Paris Ritz between 1998 and 2000 knew about Al Fayed’s behaviour.

“Folks want to choose their facet and resolve in the event that they have been culpable in any approach and selected to stay silent. They should perceive that the authorized groups we have now will go away no stone unturned. I’ve meticulous proof, and I do know others do,” she mentioned.

Ms Svesson mentioned: “I feel a full investigation is required. Particular individuals… 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, mentioned that if there are a whole lot of girls concerned, the prosecutor “has the ethical obligation to open an investigation to strive to determine precisely how this abuse might occur”.

Ms Le Jeune mentioned one other girl had contacted her instantly in latest days alleging abuse by Al Fayed. French prosecutors are underneath no obligation to open an investigation however each Ms Le Jeune and Ms Svensson are hoping elevated media consideration in France could immediate different girls to come back ahead.

It isn’t recognized 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 advised the BBC.

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

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

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

Ms Svensson mentioned her choice to talk out had introduced her “a lot pleasure,” including that a lot 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 endure comparable abuse.