Indian National Accused Of Leading Neo-Nazi Child Exploitation Ring Goes On Trial In Paris

An Indian national accused of leading a neo-Nazi child exploitation ring went on trial behind closed doors in Paris on Monday over allegations involving underage girls.

Rohan Rane, 29, is accused of running a group that allegedly targeted vulnerable girls in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Estonia as per reports. He faces charges including torture or acts of barbarity against minors, organised extortion and dissemination of child sexual abuse material. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment.

Investigators allege that members of the group communicated through Discord and promoted neo-Nazi, antisemitic and misogynistic views. They also allegedly expressed hostility towards feminists and the LGBTQ community.

Rane was arrested in 2021, according to reports. He had moved to France to study at a business school in Antibes before later working as a fitness coach. He appeared before the Paris criminal court on Monday wearing a white T-shirt as proceedings began.

The case centres on allegations that the group used online platforms to target vulnerable minors, pressure them into sending sexual material and subject them to threats, coercion and abuse. The trial is being held behind closed doors, with several alleged victims expected to give evidence by video link, as per reports.

How the Investigation Began

The investigation began in November 2020 after the US National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reported material linked to the alleged group.

The organisation came across online images involving a 12-year-old girl whose chest was reportedly exposed. Investigators also found that another user had allegedly encouraged the girl to carve the name “Rohan” into her body, bringing the alleged abuse to the attention of authorities.

The group, known as CVLT, allegedly operated online and targeted vulnerable minors through social media platforms. According to a court document released by the US Department of Justice, the group promoted “neo-Nazism, nihilism, and paedophilia as its core principles.”

Investigators allege that members approached vulnerable girls on Instagram and other social media platforms, gained their trust and persuaded them to send nude photographs.

The alleged abuse then involved threats and blackmail. Investigators say members threatened to publish the girls private images if they did not comply with their demands. In some cases, they allegedly threatened to make fake emergency calls to the victims’ homes, using the threat of police intervention as another way to intimidate and control them as per reports.

The investigation later linked these online activities to a wider group whose members allegedly used threats, coercion and blackmail to control vulnerable minors.

Allegations of Torture and Self-Harm

Investigators allege that group members called themselves “warlords” and reportedly forced victims to perform sexual acts against their will, including acts involving knives.

Some victims were allegedly forced to carve the names of their tormentors or Nazi symbols into their skin.

Investigators also allege that members encouraged victims to attempt suicide, including by drinking bleach or strangling themselves with a belt or leash.

One alleged member, a 26-year-old US citizen, has already been sentenced in the United States for abducting and raping a 12-year-old girl in 2021 as per reports.

Why is the Trial Behind Closed Doors?

The Paris criminal court reportedly ordered the proceedings to be held behind closed doors following a request from US authorities. The court said the decision was necessary because the group had allegedly attempted to intimidate victims and witnesses and threatened US prosecutors.

The trial is scheduled to continue until Friday and is expected to include videos depicting the alleged torture and humiliation of victims, many of whom were under 15.

Five US women, now aged between 18 and 21, have joined the case as civil parties and are expected to testify via video link.

Their lawyer, Hippolyte Marquetty, reportedly opposed the decision to hold the proceedings behind closed doors. Supported by child protection organisations, he argued that his clients wanted to raise awareness about the dangers teenage girls can face on social media.