Grenoble Prosecutors Seek Witnesses in International Child Abuse Case

(MENAFN) Authorities in Grenoble, southern France, have appealed for witnesses in a child sexual abuse investigation involving a 79-year-old man accused of abusing at least 89 victims over more than four decades across multiple countries.

Grenoble prosecutor Etienne Manteaux said Tuesday that the suspect, who has been in custody for two years, faces allegations of raping and sexually assaulting minors, including children under 15, in eight countries spanning four continents: Colombia, Algeria, Morocco, Niger, Switzerland, Germany, the Philippines, India, and France’s overseas territory of New Caledonia.

The investigation began after the suspect’s nephew alerted police, reportedly discovering USB drives at the man’s home in Vizille, southeastern France, containing extensive written accounts and other material that helped authorities identify victims, some only by first names.

Reports indicate the suspect admitted to meeting boys during his travels while working part-time as a teacher and sports instructor, attempting to justify his actions as “education” and invoking references to ancient Greece.

Prosecutors said the appeal aims to identify further victims, including those not yet located, although some alleged offenses may be barred by the statute of limitations.

Investigators also linked the suspect to two family deaths, with reports stating he confessed to smothering his terminally ill mother in 1974 and his elderly aunt in 1992, claiming “altruistic” motives.

MENAFN12022026000045017640ID1110731225