The recent indictment of Isaac Steidl, the founder of coco.fr, marks a significant turn in the ongoing saga surrounding the Pelicot rape case in France. Convicted rapist Dominique Pelicot used the platform to orchestrate his crimes, leading to the convictions of 51 men and raising concerns about the website's role in facilitating sexual violence.
France Indicts Founder of Infamous Website Linked to Rape Case
France Indicts Founder of Infamous Website Linked to Rape Case
Founder Isaac Steidl faces serious charges in relation to the notorious site coco.fr, implicated in multiple sexual abuse cases, including the Pelicot rape trial.
Steidl, 44, was indicted on January 9, 2025, with charges that could result in 10 years of imprisonment and fines up to €7.5 million. He has been placed under judicial supervision and released on a €100,000 bail. The website, operational since 2003, became infamous during the Pelicot trial for enabling its users to connect privately for illegal activities, allowing men to pay a subscription fee to engage in conversations within unregulated chat rooms.
Prosecutors allege that coco.fr was responsible for over 23,000 cases of various sexual offenses and criminal activities across France from 2021 to 2024, implicating 480 victims. The site was taken down in June after an extensive investigation across Europe, effectively freezing assets and pursuing charges against associated individuals.
In court, testimonies revealed a troubling pattern where individuals, after creating connections online, proceeded to meet at Pelicot's residence to commit the crimes while his ex-wife, Gisèle, was incapacitated. Steidl's defense lawyer has firmly denied all accusations, asserting the founder’s intention to prove his innocence throughout the judicial process.
The broader implications of this case are significant, sparking discussions about the accountability of online platforms in moderating content and preventing illegal activities. The investigation into Steidl and the operations of coco.fr has put a spotlight on the intersection of technology, crime, and the urgent need for reform in digital compliance and safety measures.
Prosecutors allege that coco.fr was responsible for over 23,000 cases of various sexual offenses and criminal activities across France from 2021 to 2024, implicating 480 victims. The site was taken down in June after an extensive investigation across Europe, effectively freezing assets and pursuing charges against associated individuals.
In court, testimonies revealed a troubling pattern where individuals, after creating connections online, proceeded to meet at Pelicot's residence to commit the crimes while his ex-wife, Gisèle, was incapacitated. Steidl's defense lawyer has firmly denied all accusations, asserting the founder’s intention to prove his innocence throughout the judicial process.
The broader implications of this case are significant, sparking discussions about the accountability of online platforms in moderating content and preventing illegal activities. The investigation into Steidl and the operations of coco.fr has put a spotlight on the intersection of technology, crime, and the urgent need for reform in digital compliance and safety measures.
