An Indian leader of a European neo-Nazi racket that allegedly abused minor girls and coerced them into performing sexual acts online is under trial in Paris.
The neo-Nazi ring, named CVLT (pronounced "cult"), which expressed hostility towards feminists, Jews and the LGBTQ+ community, ran its operation on Discord. The network was spread across the United States and Europe. While the victims were from the US, the UK, the Netherlands and Estonia, the alleged abusers were men from Germany, New Zealand and the United States.
The crimes of the neo-Nazi ring came to light in November 2020 when a report was released by the US child protection organisation, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The private non-profit recovered online images of a 12-year-old girl with her chest exposed. Another user encouraged the girl to carve the name "Rohan" into her body with a razor blade.
Who is Rohan Sandeep Rane?
Rohan Sandeep Rane, 29, went to France to study business in Antibes. He later opted to become a fitness coach.
The charges slapped on Rane include torture or acts of barbarity against minors, dissemination of child sexual abuse material and organised extortion. He could face life imprisonment if convicted.
Rane's racket allegedly tried to intimidate victims and witnesses and even threatened US prosecutors. They encouraged victims to engage in duhumanising acts, including making them call themselves racial slurs, cutting and eating their own hair.
Other accused in the case include Kaleb Merritt, 25, from Texas, Colin Walker, 24, from New Jersey and Clint Borge, 42, from Hawaii. Merritt is already serving a 50-year sentence in Virginia, the United States, for child sex abuse crimes in 2020 and 2021.
