Overview

• The criminal court in Aix‑en‑Provence is scheduled to hear the case from Monday through Thursday, with proceedings focused on alleged crimes against two brothers aged 12 and 15.
• The 46‑year‑old defendant has been in pre‑trial detention for about four years and also faces charges over roughly 3,000 child‑pornography images and videos, with investigators reporting darknet searches targeting young boys.
• Investigators say the sexual acts were paid for in September 2018 in Manila, and that statements from local ‘jeepney’ recruiters align with a note the accused wrote that recounts assaults on two young beggars.
• Under an international rogatory commission in February 2024, the two alleged victims recognized the suspect from a photograph; they are not expected to attend the trial, raising the prospect of a closed hearing discussion.
• Authorities report the former officer traveled yearly to the Philippines and led the French branch of a group aiding Manila street children, and five child‑protection associations have joined the case as civil parties.