Indian National Rohan Sandeep Rane Goes on Trial in Paris Over Alleged Online Exploitation Ring
The trial of Indian national Rohan Sandeep Rane opened on Monday in a Paris criminal court. The 29-year-old faces serious charges linked to his alleged leadership of an online network known as CVLT.
Rane, who came to France on a student visa to study business in Antibes before working as a fitness coach, was arrested in 2021. Investigators describe him as a central figure in the group, which operated primarily through the messaging platform Discord and is accused of targeting mostly underage girls in countries including the United States, Britain, the Netherlands and Estonia.
He is charged with torture or acts of barbarity against minors, organised extortion, and dissemination of child sexual abuse material. If convicted, he faces a possible life sentence.
The Paris court ordered the proceedings to be held behind closed doors at the request of US authorities. Officials cited prior attempts by the group to intimidate victims and witnesses, as well as threats against US prosecutors, and the graphic nature of evidence expected to be presented. Five American women, now aged 18 to 21, have joined the case as civil parties and are expected to testify by video link. The trial is scheduled to run until Friday.
The case originated from a 2020 report by the US National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. French investigators have linked around 20 victims specifically to Rane, while the wider network has been associated with a larger number of victims internationally.
Rane’s lawyer has challenged aspects of the charges. The United States has also sought his extradition in connection with at least one American victim.
