Paris - Three alleged leaders of a high-class prostitution ring went on trial in Paris yesterday accused of forcing young models and actresses into having sex with business and entertainment figures from around the world. A photographer, Jean-Pierre Bourgeois, a Lebanese businessman, Mr Nazihabdullatif al Ladki, and a Swedish legal consultant, Mr Thomas Axel, were all charged with "aggravated" pimping.
Earlier this year the US film star Robert De Niro was called as a witness and held for nine hours of questioning. De Niro denied involvement with the racket.