French police have made arrests in connection with an investigation into abuse allegations against the late Mohamed Al Fayed, with three properties including the Ritz hotel in Paris searched last month in what is understood to be a joint operation between British and French authorities.
The Paris prosecutor's office told the BBC that several individuals were taken into custody for questioning in October and later released. Searches were carried out on 13 and 14 October at the Ritz Paris, the Villa Sainte-Thérèse in Saint-Tropez, and the Villa Windsor in western Paris, with British investigators present.
It is the first time any arrests have been made in relation to alleged abuse and trafficking by the former Harrods and Ritz owner, who died in 2023 aged 94.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed its officers travelled to France and were present during the operation.
The French investigation is looking into allegations of human trafficking committed by an organized group, aggravated pimping committed by an organized group, and rape. Digital material seized during the searches is being analysed.
Several victims of Al Fayed were also interviewed by French investigators, the prosecutor's office said.
Al Fayed was accused by more than 20 women of sexual assault in a BBC documentary and podcast in September 2024. One woman said she was sexually assaulted at the Ritz, while another said she was raped at the Villa Windsor. Since those allegations, more than 400 alleged victims or witnesses have come forward to lawyers.
The Justice for Fayed and Harrods Survivors group welcomed the cooperation between the Met and French authorities, saying: "We believe that all properties owned by Fayed should be investigated with the same thoroughness as those already searched, wherever they are located, to ensure that no potentially relevant evidence is overlooked."
The survivor advocacy group No One Above said: "France is treating this as organised human trafficking, led by specialists, with properties searched and evidence seized. That is what a serious investigation into a network looks like. Two years on, survivors are still waiting for the same from the Met. It is time the National Crime Agency took this investigation over."
The management of the Ritz Paris told AFP news agency that it "does not tolerate any form of harassment, abuse or inappropriate behaviour" and that it was ready "to cooperate fully with the competent judicial authorities."
Police Scotland said it was carrying out further investigations into allegations connected to Balnagown Estate. A woman has told BBC Scotland she was trafficked, drugged, sexually assaulted and held prisoner on the estate by Al Fayed's brother, Salah Fayed, who died in 2010. Police Scotland said three people had been identified in connection with offending against a number of victims, with inquiries ongoing.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- This marks the first arrests in the Al Fayed case, signaling that investigations are moving beyond allegations toward potential accountability.
- The joint British-French operation shows cross-border coordination in pursuing historical abuse cases involving powerful figures.
- Survivors and advocacy groups are closely watching whether UK authorities will match the pace and scope of the French investigation.
Background
Mohamed Al Fayed, the Egyptian billionaire who owned Harrods and the Ritz Paris, died in 2023 at age 94 without ever facing criminal charges. In September 2024, a BBC documentary and podcast featured more than 20 women accusing him of sexual assault. Since then, over 400 alleged victims or witnesses have come forward. Al Fayed bought the Ritz Paris in 1979, and it remains owned by his family. The Villa Windsor was previously the home of King Edward VIII after his abdication.
Key Perspectives
Justice for Fayed and Harrods Survivors: Welcomed the developments and called for all properties owned by Fayed to be investigated with the same thoroughness.
No One Above: Said France is treating the case as organised human trafficking and called for the National Crime Agency to take over the Met's investigation.
Ritz Paris management: Stated it does not tolerate harassment and will cooperate fully with authorities.
What to Watch
- Whether further arrests or charges result from analysis of the digital material seized in October.
- The outcome of Police Scotland's separate investigation into allegations connected to the Balnagown Estate.
- Pressure on the Metropolitan Police from survivors and advocacy groups to escalate its investigation or hand it to the National Crime Agency.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedFrench police made arrests in the Mohamed Al Fayed abuse investigation.BBC News: “French police have made arrests after three properties, including the Ritz hotel in Paris, were searched in relation to an investigation into Mohamed Al Fayed's abuse.”
- SupportedSeveral individuals were taken into custody for questioning in October and later released.BBC News: “The Paris prosecutor's office told the BBC that several individuals were taken into custody for questioning last month and later released.”
- SupportedSearches took place on 13 and 14 October at the Ritz Paris, Villa Sainte-Thérèse and Villa Windsor, with British investigators present, in an operation understood to be joint between British and French authorities.BBC News: “In a confidential letter sent to survivors, the Metropolitan Police said its officers were present during the searches on 13 and 14 October, in what is understood to be a joint operation between British and French authorities.”
- SupportedThis is the first time arrests have been made in relation to alleged abuse and trafficking by Al Fayed.BBC News: “It is the first time any arrests have been made in relation to alleged abuse and trafficking by the former Harrods and Ritz owner.”
- SupportedThe French investigation concerns allegations of human trafficking and aggravated pimping by an organized group, and rape.BBC News: “allegations of human trafficking committed by an organized group, aggravated pimping committed by an organized group, and rape.”
- SupportedThe Justice for Fayed and Harrods Survivors group said: “We believe that all properties owned by Fayed should be investigated with the same thoroughness as those already searched, wherever they are located, to ensure that no potentially relevant evidence is overlooked.”BBC News: ““We believe that all properties owned by Fayed should be investigated with the same thoroughness as those already searched, wherever they are located, to ensure that no potentially relevant evidence is overlooked,” the group said.”
- SupportedNo One Above said: “France is treating this as organised human trafficking, led by specialists, with properties searched and evidence seized. That is what a serious investigation into a network looks like.”BBC News: ““France is treating this as organised human trafficking, led by specialists, with properties searched and evidence seized. That is what a serious investigation into a network looks like.”
- SupportedNo One Above said: “Two years on, survivors are still waiting for the same from the Met. It is time the National Crime Agency took this investigation over.”BBC News: ““Two years on, survivors are still waiting for the same from the Met. It is time the National Crime Agency took this investigation over.””
- SupportedThe Ritz Paris management told AFP it “does not tolerate any form of harassment, abuse or inappropriate behaviour” and was ready “to cooperate fully with the competent judicial authorities.”BBC News: “The management of the Ritz Paris told AFP news agency that it “does not tolerate any form of harassment, abuse or inappropriate behaviour” and that it was ready “to cooperate fully with the competent judicial authorities”.”
- SupportedMore than 400 alleged victims or witnesses have come forward to lawyers since the allegations.BBC News: “Since those allegations, more than 400 alleged victims or witnesses have come forward to lawyers.”
- SupportedA woman told BBC Scotland that Al Fayed's brother Salah trafficked, drugged, sexually assaulted and held her prisoner on the Balnagown Estate.BBC News: “A woman has also told BBC Scotland she was trafficked, drugged, sexually assaulted and held prisoner on the Balnagown Estate by Al Fayed's brother , Salah Fayed, who died in 2010.”
- SupportedPolice Scotland said three people had been identified in connection with offending against a number of victims, with inquiries ongoing.BBC News: ““Three people have been identified in connection with offending against a number of victims. “Our inquiries are ongoing and it would be inappropriate to comment further.””