Indian Man Goes On Trial In France Over Alleged Online Child Abuse Ring

An Indian man has gone on trial in France for allegedly leading an online group that coerced underage girls into sexual acts and self-harm, with prosecutors accusing him of multiple offences involving minors and child sexual abuse material.

The trial of Rohan Rane, 29, began on Monday before a special criminal court in Paris and is being held behind closed doors. Rane, who came to France to study at a business school in Antibes before working as a fitness coach, was arrested in 2021.

He faces charges including torture or acts of barbarity against minors, organised extortion and distribution of child sexual abuse material. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment, according to France 24. The trial is scheduled to continue through Friday.

The case began in November 2020 after the US National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children reported online material involving a 12-year-old girl. Investigators subsequently linked Rane to an online community known as CVLT, which operated on the Discord messaging platform.

According to French newspaper Le Monde, members of the group promoted neo-Nazi, racist and anti-Semitic views and targeted vulnerable teenage girls. The group allegedly used sextortion, obtaining nude images of victims and then threatening to publish them or using other forms of intimidation.

Investigators allege that some victims were subsequently forced to perform sexual acts or harm themselves. The investigation identified around 100 alleged victims in several countries, including the United States, Britain, Denmark, Australia, Canada, Estonia and the Netherlands.

Five US women, aged between 18 and 21, have joined the proceedings as civil parties and are expected to testify by video link during the trial, France 24 reported.

The Paris court ordered the proceedings to be held behind closed doors following a request from US authorities. The request cited concerns that the alleged group had attempted to intimidate victims and witnesses and had threatened US prosecutors.

Rane's alleged role and the charges against him remain subject to the court proceedings, and a conviction has not been established.