French Former Educator Charged Over Abuse of 89 Minors Across Decades

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French prosecutors have publicly charged a 79-year-old former educator in a sweeping child abuse case that reportedly stretches back to the late 1960s and involves at least 89 alleged victims. The man, who has been in custody since 2024, is accused of aggravated rape and sexual assault against minors in several countries, authorities said.

The accused, named by officials as Jacques Leveugle, was identified in a rare public disclosure by prosecutors in Grenoble, southeastern France, who urged anyone affected or with information to come forward. Investigators say the alleged offences occurred between 1967 and 2022 while he worked in roles including freelance teaching and instruction abroad.

Prosecutors told reporters that Leveugle’s movements over the decades took him to nations across Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas, where he is believed to have targeted boys aged 13 to 17. Countries cited in the inquiry include Germany, Switzerland, Morocco, Niger, Algeria, the Philippines, India, Colombia and the French territory of New Caledonia.

Central to the investigation was a USB drive discovered by a relative that contained documents described as detailed “memoirs” referencing sexual encounters with minors. The material, said to span 15 volumes, helped authorities identify 89 people connected to the case and prompted the appeal for additional potential victims.

In a striking development, prosecutors also said the suspect confessed during questioning to suffocating his terminally ill mother in the 1970s and later killing his elderly aunt in the 1990s. These revelations have led to separate inquiries while the broader abuse investigation continues.

Officials emphasised that the case remains open and is evolving as investigators work to locate further victims and corroborate aspects of the long-running allegations. The public appeal reflects both the extraordinary scope of the accusations and the ongoing effort to bring clarity and justice after decades of alleged misconduct.