Paris: An Indian national accused of running an online neo-Nazi network that preyed on vulnerable children has gone on trial in Paris.
Rohan Sandeep Rane, 29, was arrested in 2021 and is facing charges linked to the alleged torture and abuse of minors. The charges include acts of barbarity against children, organised extortion and the distribution of child sexual abuse material. If found guilty, he could be sentenced to life in prison.
How Case Surfaced
The case emerged as part of a US investigation into online child sexual exploitation. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children had discovered images of a 12-year-old girl with her chest exposed. Investigators said she had been pressured to write “Rohan” on her body, as reported by DNA.
A court document issued by the US Department of Justice described the alleged abuse and intimidation carried out by members of the group.
Rane and other members of CVLT allegedly worked together to force children to create child sexual abuse material. Investigators said the victims were also exposed to violent and extremist content as part of the coercion.
The Justice Department said the group’s targets included children who had previously suffered sexual abuse or were struggling with mental health problems.
“Victims were encouraged to engage in increasingly dehumanising acts, including cutting and eating their own hair, drinking their urine, punching themselves, calling themselves racial slurs, and using razor blades to carve CVLT members’ names into their skin,” the department said, as reported by NDTV.
The pressure allegedly became even more extreme, with victims being urged to “kill themselves on a video livestream,” it added.
Trial Held Behind Closed Doors
The trial is being held privately following a request from US authorities. The French court cited previous intimidation of victims and threats made against prosecutors.
Many of the alleged victims were below 15 years of age. The court is also expected to examine videos connected to the case, another reason given for restricting access to the proceedings.
Rane reportedly moved to France for his studies and later worked as a fitness coach. He is being tried in Paris, with the proceedings expected to continue until Friday.
Another alleged member of CVLT, Kaleb Christopher Merritt, is already serving a 50-year sentence in the United States for related offences. Rane denies the allegations and will be sentenced only if the court finds him guilty.