Founder of Infamous Abuse-Linked Website Indicted in France

Isaac Steidl, the founder of the controversial website coco.fr, faces severe allegations following his connection to a horrific rape case in France, where dozens of men were convicted of sexual assault against an unsuspecting victim.

The founder of coco.fr, Isaac Steidl, has been indicted in France on multiple charges stemming from a notorious rape case that horrified the nation. Steidl, 44, was charged on Thursday, facing potential imprisonment of up to 10 years and fines reaching €7.5 million (approximately $7.7 million) if convicted. Following his indictment, he was released under judicial supervision, required to pay bail of €100,000, and prohibited from leaving France.

The establishment of the coco.fr platform was made in 2003, but it gained infamy during the trial of Dominique Pelicot, who, along with 50 other men, was convicted last month of raping his ex-wife, Gisèle Pelicot, while she was incapacitated. In this case, Steidl is particularly charged with providing an online platform facilitating illicit transactions by an organized group. Other serious charges against him include involvement in drug trafficking, possession and distribution of child pornography, aggravated pimping, and money laundering.

Notably, during the trial, it was revealed that the website functioned as a haven for sexual predators, with members paying a €5 monthly subscription to access private chat rooms, including ones seemingly designed for illicit arrangements. The platform was characterized by a lack of moderation, and users transitioned from the site's general forums to private messaging systems, such as texts and Skype, to arrange assaults on Mrs. Pelicot at their residence in southern France.

Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau reported that the site was linked to over 23,000 cases from 2021 to 2024, impacting around 480 victims. Allegations ranged from child sexual abuse to drug trafficking and murder. Authorities shut coco.fr down last June following an extensive 18-month investigation across various European countries, which included freezing funds and unearthing assets from multiple nations.

Steidl's home located in Bulgaria was under scrutiny during the investigation, highlighted by French judges' requests for searches. After renouncing his French citizenship in April 2023, he was interrogated by an investigating judge in Bulgaria shortly after the website's closure. Steidl and his legal counsel maintain the assertion of his innocence, promising full cooperation to clear his name in the unfolding judicial procedures.

Reporting for this article was contributed by Catherine Porter and Ségolène Le Stradic from Paris.