French police raid Paris Ritz and two villas in Al Fayed abuse inquiry

French police have searched the Ritz hotel in Paris and two other properties as part of an investigation into sexual abuse and trafficking by the late businessman Mohamed Al Fayed. The Paris public prosecutor's office confirmed the searches on Tuesday and said arrests had been made.

What happened?

The searches took place on 13 and 14 October. Besides the Ritz, in the 1st arrondissement (central Paris), officers searched Villa Windsor in the 16th arrondissement and the Villa Sainte-Thérèse in Saint-Tropez, a former Fayed property.

Several people were taken into custody for questioning last month and later released, prosecutors said. Several of Fayed's alleged victims were also interviewed by officers from the organised crime division of the prosecutor's office.

The inquiry is a preliminary investigation into alleged human trafficking and aggravated pimping, both by an organised group, and rape. Digital material seized during the searches is now being analysed. British investigators were present, and the Metropolitan Police told survivors by email that its officers took part in a coordinated operation with the French.

Why does it matter?

The two villas have a famous past. Diana, Princess of Wales, stayed at the Saint-Tropez property with her sons in the summer of 1997, at the start of her relationship with Fayed's son, Dodi. Villa Windsor was once home to King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, and earlier to Charles de Gaulle.

Survivors' groups say more than 500 women have come forward about alleged abuse at Harrods, Park Lane, Fulham football club, the Ritz and other Fayed-owned places. The Met is investigating 169 victims who contacted it directly.

Campaign group Justice for Fayed and Harrods Survivors urged the Met to search properties in Britain too. "The searches in Paris and Saint-Tropez must be the beginning, not the end," its co-chairs said. The collective No One Above called for the National Crime Agency (Britain's national crime-fighting body) to take over the British investigation.

Pelham Spong, who says she was trafficked in Paris on Fayed's orders in 2008, said she was overjoyed. "Survivors deserve actions, not words," she said.

The Ritz, still owned by the Fayed family, told AFP it does not tolerate any form of harassment or abuse and is ready to cooperate fully with the judicial authorities.

What came before?

In September 2024, a BBC documentary featured five women accusing Fayed, who died in 2023, of rape and sexual assault. Weeks later, the Met said it had received reports from more than 100 alleged victims.

What's next?

The French investigation is continuing, and prosecutors are analysing the seized material.