The arrest of a former French intelligence officer accused of directing child rapes in Kenya via live-stream has sent shockwaves through both France and East Africa, exposing the intersection of technology, transnational crime, and institutional failings.
Claude G., a 58-year-old former operative of France’s Directorate-General for External Security (DGSE), was indicted and remanded in custody in Strasbourg earlier this week.
French investigators allege that the ex-agent, once stationed in the DGSE’s elite Action Service tasked with clandestine missions, used encrypted internet connections to commission, direct, and watch the sexual abuse of children in Kenya, preserving recordings for personal use.
The case came to light when an American foundation specialising in combating child sexual exploitation flagged particularly disturbing videos online, prompting French authorities to launch a joint investigation with the Office for Minors (OFMIN). The inquiry culminated in Claude G.’s arrest on Monday, following the identification of multiple victims in Kenya.
Prosecutors have charged the former officer with aggravated human trafficking, rape and sexual assault of minors, and the importation, distribution, and possession of child pornography.
The severity and range of charges underscore the magnitude of the allegations.
While the crimes themselves are deeply disturbing, the involvement of a former government agent has fuelled public outrage. Once entrusted with missions of national importance, Claude G. is now accused of exploiting the same networks and skills honed during his intelligence career to fuel one of the darkest forms of cyber-enabled exploitation.
The investigation also sheds light on the growing trend of live-streamed child sexual abuse, a crime frequently facilitated by poverty, weak law enforcement, and opaque digital platforms in developing nations. Legal experts warn that this emerging phenomenon presents a serious challenge for international law enforcement and highlights gaps in cross-border surveillance and oversight.
Authorities in France and Kenya are continuing to trace potential accomplices, both within the country and abroad, to determine the full scope of the network and identify additional victims. Meanwhile, Claude G. remains in pre-trial detention as prosecutors build their case, a chilling reminder of how the tools of modern technology can be weaponised to perpetuate the most heinous abuses.
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