Renowned Belgian actor Jean-Claude Van Damme, 64, is currently facing an investigation in Romania for alleged links to a human trafficking ring.
The allegations indicate that he allegedly had sexual relations with five Romanian women, victims of exploitation, during an event in Cannes, France.
Details of the investigation
Romania’s Directorate for Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) received a criminal complaint stating that Van Damme allegedly received these women as a “gift” from a criminal organization led by Morel Bolea, the owner of a modeling agency.
According to lawyer Adrian Cuculis, representing one of the alleged victims, the women were in a vulnerable situation and were exploited under the pretext of opportunities in the modeling world.
Context of the facts
The incidents in question allegedly occurred in 2015 during the Cannes Film Festival, where Van Damme hosted a private event.
The women, believing they were attending as models, were allegedly used to satisfy the actor.
A key witness claimed that several Romanian nationals, including Bolea, offered these women to the actor as part of an exploitation scheme.
Reactions and statements
Attorney Cuculis emphasized that Van Damme was aware of the women’s condition and that they were being exploited.
On the other hand, the actor’s representative, Patrick Goavec, called the allegations “grotesque and non-existent,” denying any involvement of Van Damme in such activities.
Legal Proceedings
Since the alleged events occurred in France, it is up to the French Court of Cassation to determine whether legal action will be taken against Van Damme.
In the meantime, DIICOT continues with the investigation, which is part of a larger case on human and child trafficking initiated in 2020.
Implications and reflections
Buzzy
This case has generated considerable media attention and has highlighted the persistent problem of human trafficking in Europe.
The international community is closely following the development of the research, underlining the importance of addressing and eradicating these exploitation networks.
It is essential to remember that, so far, Jean-Claude Van Damme has not been found guilty and that investigations are ongoing. The presumption of innocence is a fundamental principle in any legal proceeding.
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