OWNER OF WEBSITE USED BY HUSBAND TO RECRUIT WIFE’S RAPISTS ARRESTED

Read Time:1 Minute, 54 Second

A 44-year-old founder of the infamous website coco.fr, Isaac Steidl, was indicted on Thursday in France on multiple charges, including those linked to the Pelicot rape case.

If convicted, Steidl could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to 7.5 million euros (approximately $7.7 million).

Steidl was released from custody under “judicial supervision” after posting a 100,000-euro bail and is prohibited from leaving France.

The website, which Steidl created in 2003, became notorious during the trial of Dominique Pelicot and 50 other men.

The men were found guilty of raping Gisèle Pelicot, Mr. Pelicot’s ex-wife, while she was heavily sedated.

Steidl faces charges of facilitating illicit transactions via his platform, which allowed an organized group to operate.

Other accusations against him include complicity in drug trafficking, child pornography distribution, aggravated pimping, and money laundering.

Steidl’s lawyer, Julien Zanatta, defended him, stating that Steidl “firmly denies the accusations” and has committed to cooperating fully to demonstrate his lack of responsibility for the alleged offenses.

During the trial, many defendants testified that the website provided a space for predators to engage in illegal activities.

For a 5-euro monthly fee, members had access to private chat rooms, including one named “without her knowledge.” The site was not moderated, and no message records were kept. Many of the men testified that they connected with Pelicot on the site and later arranged visits to his home, where they participated in raping his ex-wife while she was sedated.

According to Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau, the website was involved in over 23,000 cases from 2021 to 2024, with 480 victims.

The charges included sexual abuse, child exploitation, rape, drug trafficking, prostitution, scams, and even homicides.

The website was shut down in June following an 18-month investigation across Europe, during which authorities froze bank accounts in several countries and seized 5 million euros.

French officials also requested a search of Steidl’s home in Bulgaria as part of the investigation.

Steidl, originally from the Var region in southern France, renounced his French citizenship in April 2023.

In June, following the site’s closure, Steidl was questioned by a French judge in Bulgaria, with French law enforcement present.