Arrests made in Mohamed Al Fayed probe in France, police say

French police have made arrests after three properties, including the Ritz hotel in Paris, were searched in relation to an investigation into Mohamed Al Fayed's abuse.

The Paris prosecutor's office told the BBC that several individuals were taken into custody for questioning last month and later released.

In a confidential letter sent to survivors, the Metropolitan Police said its officers were present during the searches on 13 and 14 October, in what is understood to be a joint operation between British and French authorities.

It is the first time any arrests have been made in relation to alleged abuse and trafficking by the former Harrods and Ritz owner.

Several victims of Al Fayed were also interviewed by French investigators, the prosecutor's office said.

It added that the searches were part of a preliminary investigation into "allegations of human trafficking committed by an organized group, aggravated pimping committed by an organized group, and rape".

The investigation is ongoing and digital material seized during the searches is being analysed.

The late Egyptian billionaire bought the Ritz Paris hotel in 1979, and it is still owned by the Al Fayed family.

The Villa Windsor in western Paris, another property involved in the search, was a holiday home for the Al Fayed family. It was previously the home of King Edward VIII, following his abdication, and his wife Wallis Simpson.

The Met shared this statement from French authorities with victims:

"At this stage of the proceedings, several victims have been interviewed by French investigators, and the investigations are being conducted in liaison with the British authorities.

"In this context, searches and evidence-gathering operations were carried out in mid-October 2026, notably within the Hotel Ritz in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, as well as at the Villa Sainte-Thérèse in Saint-Tropez, a former property of Mohamed Al Fayed, and at the Villa Windsor in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, in the presence of British investigators.

"Several suspects were taken into police custody, measures which were lifted following their interviews, specifically for the purpose of analyzing digital material seized during the search operations.

"The investigations are continuing under the direction of the Paris Public Prosecutor's Office."

A Met Police spokesperson confirmed its officers travelled to France in October and were present during the operation.

Al Fayed, who died in 2023 aged 94, was accused by more than 20 women of sexual assault in a BBC documentary and podcast in September 2024.

One of the women featured in the documentary said she was sexually assaulted by Al Fayed at the Ritz hotel in Paris, while another woman said she had been raped by him at the Villa Windsor residence.

Since those allegations, more than 400 alleged victims or witnesses have come forward to lawyers.

A woman has 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.

Both brothers died without facing legal charges in relation to these allegations.

Earlier this year, Police Scotland said it was carrying out further investigations into allegations connected to Balnagown Estate.

In a statement, a force spokesperson said: "Three people have been identified in connection with offending against a number of victims.

"Our inquiries are ongoing and it would be inappropriate to comment further."

The Justice for Fayed and Harrods Survivors group said it welcomed the "significant developments" and cooperation between the Met and French authorities.

"We believe that all properties owned by Fayed should be investigated with the same thoroughness as those already searched, wherever they are located, to ensure that no potentially relevant evidence is overlooked," the group said.

"We hope these developments represent meaningful progress towards identifying and holding to account all those who facilitated, concealed or assisted his offending, wherever they operated."

The survivor advocacy group No One Above said: "France is treating this as organised human trafficking, led by specialists, with properties searched and evidence seized. That is what a serious investigation into a network looks like.

"Two years on, survivors are still waiting for the same from the Met. It is time the National Crime Agency took this investigation over."

The management of the Ritz Paris told AFP news agency that it "does not tolerate any form of harassment, abuse or inappropriate behaviour" and that it was ready "to cooperate fully with the competent judicial authorities".

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, information and support is available at BBC Action Line.