Paris Prosecutor’s Office Opens Investigation into Long-Standing Pedophile Forum
Paris, May 14 – The Paris Prosecutor’s Office has initiated an investigation into ‘La Garçonnière,’ a long-standing French pedophile forum that has been openly accessible since 1999. The inquiry, opened on Tuesday, May 12, targets a platform where messages of a pedocriminal nature have proliferated for years, as confirmed by the information verification agency of Radio France.
Investigation by the Cybercrime Unit
The investigation has been entrusted to the cybercrime unit and is focused on charges of “providing an online platform to facilitate an illicit transaction, as an organized group.” This offense carries a potential penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of 1 million euros. The charges specifically target the forum’s operational framework rather than individual messages, indicating a broader approach to dismantle the platform’s ability to facilitate pedocriminal exchanges.
The forum, described by the prosecutor’s office as being “intended for men attracted to minors,” came under scrutiny following a report from the High Commissioner for Childhood dated April 24. This report was prompted by revelations from French newspaper Ouest-France.
“La Garçonnière”: A Part of a Wider Network
Operating for over two decades, ‘La Garçonnière’ is freely accessible with just a few clicks and is part of an international ecosystem of sites linked to the “boy lovers” movement. Radio France’s verification agency reviewed hundreds of messages on the forum, revealing users discussing their attractions and alleged sexual encounters with minors. They also exchanged advice on evading suspicion in professional and family settings, and detailed strategies for manipulating young adolescents.
These exchanges are explicit and disturbing. One user reportedly wrote, “What’s more beautiful than a 12-year-old boy? Maybe a 9-year-old boy,” describing his attraction to children. Another claimed to have spent the night with a “cute 13-year-old boy.” The veracity of these accounts remains unconfirmed, but their easy accessibility is a significant concern.
Technical Links and International Hosting
The forum is not an isolated case. It is connected to a larger network of French and English-speaking platforms that present themselves as discussion forums or “resources” for individuals sexually attracted to minors, often using the acronym “MAP” (Minor Attracted Persons). These platforms are notably linked to the Anglo-Saxon pro-pedophilia militant movement known as the Free Spirits.
According to research by an American whistleblower, verified by Radio France, technical elements link ‘La Garçonnière’ to other platforms within this movement. For instance, the forum shares the same private DNS servers as other related sites, suggesting a common underlying infrastructure despite appearing independent to casual internet users.
Most of these sites are hosted abroad, in countries such as Luxembourg, Romania, and Iceland. This international hosting complicates efforts by French authorities, who must navigate often lengthy international judicial procedures to obtain technical data or request content removal. These platforms also strive to operate within a “grey area” of the law, prohibiting the dissemination of explicit images, overly explicit descriptions that could be construed as advocating rape, or proposals for “real-life” meetings. Users frequently exchange tips on maintaining anonymity through pseudonyms, VPNs, secure browsers, and cryptocurrency donations to fund the sites’ infrastructure.
Legal Ramifications and Future Actions
The legal qualification chosen by the Paris Prosecutor’s Office is significant, as it targets the platform’s operational function rather than individual messages, which are often more challenging to prosecute. This approach suggests investigators are focusing on how the forum facilitates and organizes pedocriminal exchanges, extending beyond the content itself.
The investigation by the cybercrime unit, supported by ARCOM (the French regulatory authority for audiovisual and digital communication), aims to dismantle this long-standing network and bring those responsible to justice. The efforts underscore the increasing focus on combating online pedocriminality and the complex challenges posed by internationally hosted platforms.
Source: https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceinter/podcasts/l-info-de-france-inter/le-parquet-de-paris-ouvre-une-enquete-sur-un-forum-pedophile-en-libre-acces-ouvert-depuis-1999-8551571
