In brief
Senegalese police have arrested 14 people, dismantling a paedophile gang operating since 2017. The group, which is connected with France, was involved in serious offenses including the rape of minors. The operation included collaboration with French authorities and the involvement of a French national arrested in France in 2025.
Senegalese police say they have arrested 14 people and broken up a paedophile gang operating between the country and France. Those arrested, who are all Senegalese, were part of a 'transnational' criminal group that has been in operation since 2017, according to a police statement.The group was accused of 'organised paedophilia, pimping, rape of minors under 15, sodomy, and intentional transmission of HIV/AIDS.' They allegedly forced boys to have 'unprotected sex' with men, primarily HIV-positive, and filmed these acts.Four of the accused reportedly acted on the instructions of a Frenchman arrested in France in April 2025, allegedly in exchange for money transfers. The 14 accused were presented before a judge following police raids across several neighbourhoods in Dakar and in the city of Kaolack, 200km southeast of the capital.A police statement confirmed that coordinated raids led to the confiscation of items believed to be linked to the alleged crimes. The Criminal Investigations Division confirmed it dismantled a transnational organized criminal group focusing operations mainly between France and Senegal. The operation was supported by French authorities, with a delegation involved in the mission. The police have pledged to continue targeting and dismantling such networks, issuing a toll-free number for public tips on related information.
