Indian man accused of leading international child exploitation ring goes on trial in Paris
A 29-year-old Indian man has gone on trial in Paris, accused of leading an online neo-Nazi child exploitation ring that targeted girls in several countries, including Britain and the United States. Prosecutors allege members coerced minors into sexual acts and self-harm; the case highlights how social media and messaging platforms were used to exploit vulnerable children.
The defendant, Rohan Rane, faces charges including torture or acts of barbarity against minors, organised extortion and distributing child sexual abuse material, and could receive life imprisonment if convicted. The investigation began after a 2020 report about images of a 12-year-old girl being urged to carve “Rohan” into her chest; five American women, now aged 18 to 21, are participating in the case. The trial is being held behind closed doors because of concerns about intimidation and the graphic evidence expected.
- Rohan Rane is on trial in Paris over an alleged online child exploitation ring.
- Investigators say victims in several countries were coerced and blackmailed.
- The trial is closed to the public amid safety concerns.
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This case concerns allegations of a large-scale online operation in which minors were sexually exploited and coerced into self-harm by a group of adults. The operation allegedly targeted vulnerable girls in multiple countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States, using social media and messaging platforms to make contact and establish control over victims.
The investigation into the network began in 2020 after reports emerged about a 12-year-old girl being pressured to harm herself. The alleged ring was organised around neo-Nazi ideology. Members are accused of using coercion and manipulation to make minors perform sexual acts and engage in acts of self-harm, with material then being distributed online.
This case underscores how coordinated groups can exploit social media and messaging platforms to target vulnerable young people across international borders. The scope and organised nature of the alleged crimes represent a significant prosecution in the area of international child sexual exploitation.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Leader of ‘global neo-Nazi child sex ring that preyed on Brit and US minors and made 12-year-old girl carve name into her chest’ goes on trial in France”.