Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Al-Fayed may have raped and abused more than 100 women; police investigation | World News

London’s Metropolitan Police confirmed on Wednesday that it had launched a new investigation into allegations of sexual assault against the late owner of Harrods, Mohamed Al-Fayed, and that 90 victims have been identified so far in the investigation, AFP news agency reported.

The investigation continues as follows: BBC documentary It was published in September, revealing multiple allegations of rape and sexual assault against the Egyptian billionaire, who died in August last year at the age of 94. More than 400 women and witnesses have since come forward with allegations of sexual abuse, raising questions about how these allegations occurred. police handled complaints spanning decades.

The Metropolitan Police said “a large number of victims, some reporting multiple offences”, had come forward following a public appeal. They added that a special unit would “investigate all reports and pursue all reasonable lines of inquiry.”

Meanwhile, Guard It reported that five unnamed people suspected of aiding Al-Fayed were being investigated as potential “facilitators.” Scotland Yard has also launched a full-scale investigation to assess whether opportunities were missed in previous investigations and whether there is evidence to hold current or former police officers accountable for corruption.

Last month, Guard It reported allegations that corrupt police officers helped Al-Fayed target staff, including a young woman who allegedly rejected his sexual advances.

The investigation currently covers 111 allegations of abuse; There are 21 victims who reported crimes to police between 2005 and Al-Fayed’s death, and 90 women who came forward after the BBC documentary was broadcast. Police had previously identified 60 potential victims.

Detectives are investigating “a number of individuals associated” with Al-Fayed to determine their role in aiding or facilitating the alleged crimes. They also examine past investigations to identify “missed opportunities” and note that investigative practices have “improved significantly over the last 20 years.”

Police have already examined more than 50,000 pages of evidence, including victim and impact statements.

Commander Stephen Clayman, from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said: “This investigation is about giving a voice to the survivors of Mohamed Al-Fayed, even though he is no longer alive and facing prosecution.” “However, we are currently pursuing those suspected of complicity in this crime and are determined to seek justice.”

Clayman acknowledged that “past events may have affected the public’s trust and confidence in our approach”, but stressed that police were “committed to rebuilding that trust by dealing with these allegations with honesty and diligence”.

Crimes committed between 1977 and 2014

crimes Mohammed Al Fayed According to The Guardian, the Metropolitan Police examined more than 50,000 pages of evidence, including victim and impact statements, and obtained a “significant amount of material” from archived investigations.

As part of the investigation, Professional Standards Directorate detectives are investigating whether current or former police officers have committed misconduct. They are examining witness evidence from Harrods’ former head of security, Bob Loftus, who alleges a former Met commander bought luxury hampers “when he was of particularly great help to Harrods”.

Met himself earlier this month England Police watchdog following complaints from two women regarding the conduct of investigations into Al-Fayed’s alleged sexual abuse.

In recent weeks, new allegations have emerged against Al-Fayed’s late brother, Salah Fayed, who died in 2010 and was a co-owner of Harrods at the time of the alleged abuse. Additionally, the New York Times reported this month that a victim accused another brother, Ali, now 80, of knowing about “trafficking” women.

(With input from AFP)