New Epstein victims turn up in French probe — prosecutor

Around 10 new suspected victims have come forward since France launched a probe into late child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his network, Paris' top public prosecutor said Sunday.

France set up a special task force of magistrates in February to probe potential crimes committed in the country or involving French nationals who might be implicated in Epstein's crimes.

The move was triggered by  the US Justice Department releasing the latest trove of documents — known as the "Epstein files" — relating to its investigation into the disgraced financier.

Epstein was found hanging in his Manhattan jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial for trafficking underage girls for sex.

What did the prosecutor say about the new victims?

In remarks to RTL Radio, Laure Beccuau said around 20 people had come forward since she urged potential suspected victims to contact authorities in February.

Some of the alleged victims were already known to investigators, Beccuau said, "but we also had new victims come forward, ones we didn't know at all. There are around 10 of them."

"A certain number of them are abroad so the investigators are trying to set up meetings to suit when they are able to come to Paris," she told RTL.

The other victims, known to investigators, included people assaulted by Jean-Luc Brunel, a modeling agent indicted for the rape of minors, who committed suicide while in custody in 2022. Brunel was also suspected of having transported and hosted young women for Epstein.

Gerald Marie, a former executive at the prestigious Elite modeling agency, is also facing similar charges, which he denies.

What do we know about the Epstein probe in France?

A possible recruiter for Epstein, Daniel Siad, is under investigation in Paris, following complaints from potential victims, according to French broadcaster BFM.

Beccuau also said the investigating task force was searching through the Epstein files for any names of alleged perpetrators that suspected victims have mentioned.

The names of many high-profile figures, including celebrities, senior politicians and industry leaders, have been referenced in the documents released by the US. Being mentioned in the Epstein files does not necessarily mean an offense has been committed.

"We have also got back out Mr. Epstein's computer, his telephone records, his address books," the prosecutor said. The investigators will also be "making requests for international assistance," she added.

But Beccuau added that "none of the people who could potentially be implicated have been questioned" yet.

"It is only once we have a fully understood Epstein's (relationships) with the other key figures" in his network in France "that we will hear from the defendants," she said.

French ex-culture minister Jack Lang is the highest-profile French national implicated in the Epstein files.

The 86-year-old stepped down from his role at the helm of a prestigious cultural center in Paris, the Arab World Institute (IMA), in February, after his name appeared in the Epstein files more than 670 times.

Lang denies any wrongdoing.

Global scandal

The Epstein affair has had repercussions in several other countries, including the US, the United Kingdom and Norway, among others.

While US President Donald Trump campaigned on releasing the files, he then  resisted intense, months-long pressure to publish the documents. The US Justice Department eventually released millions of files, although they were heavily redacted.

Trump and Epstein were friends for years, but the US president insists their relationship ended long before the allegations against Epstein came to light. No evidence implicating Trump in any crimes linked to Epstein has been made public.

Former US President Bill Clinton, his wife Hillary and several other high profile figures have also been named in the files.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also come under fire for appointing Epstein associate Peter Mandelson as British ambassador to the US.

The Epstein scandal has already seen King Charles' brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, be forced to relinquish his royal titles and residence, while calls are also growing for him to testify in the United States. Mountbatten-Windsor was released from police custody in February but remains "under investigation."

In Norway, Crown Princess Mette-Marit apologized in February for her ties to Epstein.

The scandal has also ensnared other high-profile Norwegians, including former prime minister Thorbjorn Jagland and former foreign minister Borge Brende, the current CEO of the World Economic Forum. Brende and Jagland have both said they are cooperating with investigators.

Edited by: Darko Janjevic