First arrests made in France in the Mohamed Al-Fayed case

First detentions in the investigation

French police carried out searches and detained a number of suspects as part of an investigation into allegations of sexual violence and human trafficking against Mohamed Al-Fayed, the former owner of Harrods and the Paris Ritz. This became known from a confidential letter from the Metropolitan Police (Met) to survivors, which BBC News quotes. These are the first arrests in the case since the allegations emerged.

What is known about the operation

The searches took place on 13 and 14 October 2026 at three properties: the Ritz hotel in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, the Villa Sainte-Thérèse in Saint-Tropez, formerly owned by Al-Fayed, and the Villa Windsor in the 16th arrondissement of Paris. British investigators were present during the operations; the Met confirmed that its officers travelled to France in October. According to the French authorities, several suspects were taken into custody, but the measure was lifted after questioning — including to analyse seized digital material. The investigation continues under the leadership of the Paris prosecutor's office; a number of victims have already been questioned in coordination with the British side. The Ritz hotel is still owned by the Al-Fayed family.

The scale of the case and the reaction

The allegations against Al-Fayed became widely known after a BBC documentary and podcast in September 2024, in which more than 20 women spoke of sexual harassment. One participant in the film reported an assault at the Ritz hotel, another a rape at the Villa Windsor. Afterwards, according to the BBC, more than 400 alleged victims or witnesses came forward to lawyers. The group Justice for Fayed and Harrods Survivors welcomed the 'significant developments' and the cooperation between the two countries, calling for all properties owned by Al-Fayed to be examined. The group No One Above said that France is treating the case as organised human trafficking and called for the British investigation to be handed over to the National Crime Agency, noting that survivors have 'waited two years for the same from the Met'. Earlier, British police passed the case files to prosecutors, and separate allegations also concerned Al-Fayed's brother, who, according to one of the women, was implicated in violence at an estate in the Highlands.

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