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France Refers Diplomat in Epstein Files to Prosecutors, Opens Disciplinary Probe

Prosecutors now weigh opening a criminal investigation following the foreign ministry’s referral.

Overview

  • Fabrice Aidan, a mid-level French diplomat, is cited in more than 200 U.S. Department of Justice documents, including emails exchanged with Jeffrey Epstein from 2010 to 2016.
  • Emails reported by multiple outlets show Aidan forwarding United Nations Security Council briefings and other UN materials to Epstein, with the documents’ classification status not immediately clear.
  • One exchange shows Aidan requesting the access code to Epstein’s Paris apartment, and other messages reference arranging contacts and events.
  • Former French UN representative Gérard Araud says UN security relayed an FBI report in 2013 alleging Aidan accessed child sexual abuse websites, after which Aidan left his UN post.
  • Aidan denies all allegations and his lawyer says earlier FBI and French inquiries led to no prosecution; energy group Engie has relieved him of duties as France and other European countries pursue related inquiries, including Jack Lang’s resignation in Paris.