French authorities have indicted Isaac Steidl for his role in facilitating heinous crimes via the website coco.fr, which has been implicated in numerous abuse cases.
France Charges Website Founder Linked to Shocking Rape Case
France Charges Website Founder Linked to Shocking Rape Case
The founder of a notorious platform faces serious allegations tied to a high-profile rape trial.
The founder of the controversial website coco.fr, Isaac Steidl, was indicted on various charges on Thursday in France, including accusations linked to the infamous rape trial of Dominique Pelicot. If convicted, Steidl could face a decade in prison and a hefty fine of approximately 7.5 million euros (around $7.7 million).
After being released from jail, he is now under judicial supervision, required to pay a bail of 100,000 euros, and is prohibited from leaving French territory. The site, created in 2003, became a focal point during the trial that resulted in the convictions of Pelicot and 50 accomplices for the rape of his ex-wife, Gisèle Pelicot, while she was heavily sedated.
Probe findings suggest that Steidl is facing charges of enabling illicit acts through his platform, particularly an online venue for an organized gang's illicit transactions. Additional charges could include drug trafficking, possession and distribution of child pornography, aggravated pimping, and money laundering. Steidl maintains his innocence, with his lawyer asserting his commitment to proving his lack of involvement in the alleged offenses.
During the trial, those accused indicated that coco.fr served as a predator’s haven, where users paid a nominal fee to access private communication rooms labeled provocatively, such as "without her knowledge." The platform operated without moderation, and records of communications were rarely kept, according to evidence presented in court.
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau announced that the website was potentially connected to over 23,000 cases across France from 2021 to 2024, representing 480 alleged victims. These cases span a broad spectrum, including child sexual abuse, pimping, prostitution, and even homicide.
Coco.fr was dismantled following an extensive 18-month investigation that bridged multiple European countries. During this process, investigators froze financial assets and seized 5 million euros, while Steidl's residence in Bulgaria was searched at French officials' request. Notably, Steidl renounced his French citizenship in April 2023. Subsequently, he underwent an interrogation process in Bulgaria with the assistance of French law enforcement.
Catherine Porter and Ségolène Le Stradic, esteemed journalists, continue to report on this ongoing crisis in France, shedding light on systemic issues surrounding sexual violence and digital platforms' role in safeguarding abusive behavior.
