Mohamed Al-Fayed Accused of Rape Crimes by Five Women



The revelations were made by the BBC, which heard the testimony of more than 20 former employees who revealed that the billionaire - who died last year at the age of 94 - sexually assaulted them.


Five women say they were raped by the former owner of Harrods, Mohamed Al-Fayed, when they worked at the luxury department store in London, UK.


The revelations were made by the BBC, which heard the testimony of more than 20 former employees who revealed that the billionaire - who died last year at the age of 94 - sexually assaulted them.


The British broadcaster gathered evidence that, during Al-Fayed's tenure, Harrods not only failed to intervene, but helped to cover up the allegations of abuse. Its current owners say they are "absolutely shocked" by what happened.


"The web of corruption and abuse in this company was unbelievable and very dark," said Bruce Drummond, a lawyer from the legal team representing some of the women.


The testimonies of some of the women reveal a pattern of predatory behavior and sexual abuse by Al-Fayed. The then owner of Harrods would regularly visit the store's vast sales floors and identify young assistants he found attractive.


Those 'selected' would then be promoted to work in his offices upstairs.


The crimes were perpetrated in the Harrods offices, in the suspect's London apartment, or while he was travelling abroad - usually to Paris or Abu Dhabi.


It is worth remembering that the Egyptian businessman faced accusations of sexual assault during his lifetime, but these allegations are of an unprecedented scale and severity, according to the BBC, which believes many more women may have been assaulted.