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France Probes New Suspected Victims in Jeffrey Epstein Network

Paris prosecutors say around 10 previously unknown victims have come forward in an ongoing human trafficking investigation. The probe examines possible offenses committed in France or involving French facilitators linked to the late financier.

SC
Al Jazeera
France 24
3 sources·May 17, 5:44 PM(11 days ago)·1m read
France Probes New Suspected Victims in Jeffrey Epstein NetworkFrance 24
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U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Paris Public Prosecutor Laure Beccuau said on Sunday. The new disclosures follow a February appeal by Beccuau for potential victims to speak with investigators. Some of the roughly 20 people who responded were already known to authorities, while about 10 others were not.

Beccuau told RTL that investigators have resumed reviewing Epstein’s computers, telephone records, and address books. The team is also preparing requests for international assistance to reach victims living abroad. U.S. Justice Department released additional Epstein files in January.

The inquiry focuses on possible offenses committed in France or involving French perpetrators who facilitated Epstein’s crimes. U.S. prison in August 2019 while facing charges of trafficking underage girls for sex. French investigators searched his Paris apartment the following month.

Suspected victims already known to authorities include women who had spoken in earlier probes into former modeling agency executive Gerald Marie and late modeling agent Jean-Luc Brunel. Brunel was arrested in 2020 on allegations he procured victims for Epstein and was found dead in prison in 2022.

Two former models told AFP that a modeling scout named Daniel Siad groomed them for delivery to Epstein in one case in the 2000s and to Marie in another case in the 1990s.

Key Facts

Around 10 new victims
previously unknown to French investigators
Roughly 20 total contacts
after February appeal by Paris prosecutor
Human trafficking probe
opened after January U.S. file release

Story Timeline

3 events
  1. January 2026

    U.S. Justice Department released new Epstein files.

    2 sourcesSCMPNews · Al Jazeera
  2. February 2026

    Paris prosecutor urged potential victims to come forward.

    2 sourcesSCMPNews · Al Jazeera
  3. May 17, 2026

    Prosecutor said around 10 new victims contacted authorities.

    3 sourcesSCMPNews · Al Jazeera · France 24

Potential Impact

  1. 01

    Investigators will seek international assistance to interview victims abroad.

  2. 02

    Additional names from Epstein files may be examined by French magistrates.

Transparency Panel

Sources cross-referenced3
Confidence score85%
Synthesized bySubstrate AI
Word count209 words
PublishedMay 17, 2026, 5:44 PM
Bias signals removed1 across 1 outlet
Signal Breakdown
Framing 1

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