French diplomat Fabrice Aidan faces probe over claims he leaked UN papers to Jeffrey Epstein. He denies all charges, including FBI suspicions of child abuse site visits, as France launches disciplinary action.
French authorities have launched a probe into a mid ranking diplomat accused of passing confidential United Nations papers to the late Jeffrey Epstein. Fabrice Aidan, who served at the UN from 2006 to 2013 on loan from the French foreign ministry, faces claims of serious misconduct that have sparked disciplinary action and judicial review.
Diplomat denies charges
Fabrice Aidan rejects every claim levelled against him, according to his solicitor Jade Dousselin. She stated that her client stands prepared to address questions from French courts. The diplomat, who started at the foreign ministry in 2000, appears in more than 200 US Justice Department files on the convicted sex offender Epstein. Foreign Minister Jean Noel Barrot called the matter grave and notified prosecutors while starting internal sanctions this week.
UN documents allegedly shared
Records show Aidan forwarded UN Security Council updates and secret reports to Epstein from 2010 to 2016, using both private and official UN email addresses. One example involved a readout of a call between ex UN chief Ban Ki moon and Turkey’s foreign minister, passed along to a superior before reaching Epstein. The UN launched a disciplinary review against Aidan based on tips from a member country.
FBI flags and resignation
French reports note that the FBI marked Aidan in 2013 for suspected visits to child abuse image sites. He quit his UN role that year. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric confirmed the exit and the probe. Dousselin dismissed the FBI claim as groundless, noting no charges followed the US review and French checks drew the same blank. Gerard Araud, France’s former US ambassador from 2014 to 2019, recalled recalling Aidan to France, with no US push for charges.
Wider fallout
Energy firm Engie, Aidan’s recent employer, cut ties after media coverage of pre hire issues. The case revives scrutiny of Epstein’s global contacts, including at diplomatic levels. France weighs criminal steps next, as the UN upholds rules against leaking sensitive material without clearance. For Aidan, the allegations strike at a two decade career, with his side vowing full cooperation to clear his record.
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