French minister 'appalled' as diplomat named in US Epstein files

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has condemned the involvement of a French diplomat in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, stating he was "appalled" by the revelations contained in recently declassified US documents. The minister confirmed he has referred the case to the public prosecutor and initiated both an administrative inquiry and disciplinary action against diplomat Fabrice Aidan, whose name appears in the latest batch of Epstein files.

Details of the Allegations and Immediate Response

According to Barrot, the released records indicate dozens of email exchanges between Aidan and Epstein. The diplomat, currently seconded outside the ministry, previously worked at French energy giant Engie, which announced his suspension following the disclosures. Barrot emphasized the gravity of the situation, citing allegations of sexual violence, financial misconduct, and potential attempts to influence European countries, stating the volume of correspondence "raises very serious suspicions."

Scope of the Inquiry and Broader Implications

The minister did not rule out the possibility that additional French diplomatic personnel could be named in the extensive document release. Aidan's future with the ministry will be determined by the outcome of the disciplinary process. The case adds France to the growing list of nations confronting political and institutional fallout from the Epstein files, which continue to expose elite networks surrounding the late financier.

Context of the Epstein Document Release

The revelations stem from the US Justice Department's release last month of millions of pages of evidence under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The massive trove includes photographs, investigative records, and correspondence. Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. Victims and advocates have criticized the release as incomplete and excessively redacted, claiming it falls short of full transparency.