French authorities have made arrests in relation to an investigation into allegations of abuse, human trafficking, and aggravated pimping committed by the former owner of Harrods and the Ritz hotel, Mohamed Al Fayed. The Paris prosecutor's office confirmed that several individuals were taken into custody for questioning last month, following searches conducted at three properties, including the iconic Ritz hotel in Paris and the Villa Windsor in western Paris. These searches were part of a preliminary investigation into human trafficking, aggravated pimping, and rape allegations against an organized group. The Metropolitan Police shared that its officers were present during the October 13-14 searches as part of a joint operation with French authorities. This is the first time any arrests have been made in relation to Al Fayed's alleged abuses.
The investigation, ongoing under the direction of the Paris Public Prosecutor's Office, also involves digital material seized during the searches and interviews with several victims who allege abuse by Al Fayed. The late Egyptian billionaire bought the Ritz Paris hotel in 1979, and it remains owned by the Al Fayed family. The Villa Windsor, another property searched, was a holiday home for the Al Fayad family and previously belonged to King Edward VIII and his wife Wallis Simpson.
The Met Police spokesperson confirmed that officers traveled to France in October and were present during the operation. Al Fayed faced numerous sexual assault allegations in a BBC documentary and podcast in September 2024, with several women claiming to have been sexually assaulted by him at the Ritz hotel and Villa Windsor residence. Since these allegations, over 400 alleged victims or witnesses have come forward to lawyers. A woman 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.
Justice for Fayed and Harrods Survivors group has welcomed the "significant developments" and cooperation between the Met and French authorities. The survivor advocacy group No One Above has called for the National Crime Agency to take over the investigation, stating that France is treating this as organized human trafficking and that a serious investigation into a network requires such resources. The management of the Ritz Paris has stated it does not tolerate any form of harassment, abuse, or inappropriate behavior and is ready to cooperate fully with the competent judicial authorities.