The Paris prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into Sexemodel, an online platform for escorts and sex workers recently renamed Meslibertines.com. The investigation aims to determine whether some of the advertisements may involve minors. The case has been assigned to the unit specializing in combating cybercrime.
The proceedings were reportedly initiated following a report from the High Commissioner for Children , Sarah El Haïry. The platform is allegedly run by a Swiss national residing in Dubai. A request for mutual legal assistance has been sent to the Swiss authorities to obtain the information necessary to continue the investigation.
The closure of the platform is among the prosecutor's objectives
Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau confirmed that shutting down the site was among the objectives of the justice system. The juvenile protection unit is also conducting investigations when the platform, or other sites using different names, is suspected of facilitating contact between pimps, clients, and victims.
The creator of Sexemodel had already been convicted in France in 2011 for aggravated pimping. However, Swiss authorities refused to execute the international arrest warrant, as online platforms advertising prostitution are legal under their legislation. In France, adult prostitution is not illegal, but the purchase of sexual acts and the exploitation of prostitution are punishable offenses.
