In brief
The indictment of Isaac Steidl follows a high-profile rape trial that has sparked outrage across France.
The founder of the notorious website coco.fr, which linked to a shocking rape case, has been indicted in France on multiple serious charges. Isaac Steidl, aged 44, now faces potential prison time of up to 10 years and fines reaching 7.5 million euros (approximately $7.7 million). He was released from jail on January 9, 2025, under judicial supervision, having paid 100,000 euros in bail, and is not permitted to leave France.The website, launched in 2003, gained infamy during the trial of Dominique Pelicot and 51 others, who were convicted of raping Pelicot's ex-wife, Gisèle, while she was heavily sedated. Among the charges levied against Steidl is facilitating an online platform used for illegal transactions by organized gangs, which includes heinous acts like drug trafficking and the distribution of child pornography.Steidl’s attorney, Julien Zanatta, stated that his client firmly denies the accusations and is committed to cooperating with the investigation. Testimonies during the trial revealed that cocofr provided a platform where predators could pay to join private chat rooms, facilitating their contact with Pelicot and subsequent criminal activities in southern France. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau indicated that the website is implicated in over 23,000 cases in France between 2021 and 2024, involving 480 alleged victims and various crimes, including sexual abuse and murders. The site was dismantled in June following an extensive, 18-month cross-European investigation, with significant funds confiscated from multiple countries.Steidl’s property in Bulgaria has been searched by French authorities, and he had relinquished his French citizenship earlier in April 2023. Following the closure of his website, he faced questions from an investigative judge with French agents present. The scandal surrounding coco.fr continues to raise alarms regarding online platforms facilitating criminal behavior.
