Published September 20,2024
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The late Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Al Fayed sexually abused feminine employees at his London division retailer Harrods, pressured them to have medical screenings and threatened penalties in the event that they tried to complain, attorneys for alleged victims mentioned on Friday.
One lady who had labored for Fayed on the luxurious Knightsbridge retailer known as him “a monster”.
Harrods apologised on Thursday after greater than 20 ladies advised the BBC Al Fayed had sexually abused, and in some circumstances, raped them. He died final 12 months aged 94.
“Underneath Harrods glitz and glamour was a toxic, unsafe and abusive environment,” lawyer Gloria Allred advised a press convention.
She mentioned the allegations included serial rape, tried rape, sexual battery and sexual abuse of minors, which lasted for 25 years.
Another lawyer, Dean Armstrong, mentioned they had been representing 37 ladies and that quantity would probably develop.
Natacha is one among them.
“Seeing his obituary just over a year ago triggered such a huge emotion,” she advised reporters, with out giving her final identify. “I could not believe that this monster had gotten away with his crime.”
According to a BBC documentary which aired on Thursday, Harrods did not intervene and helped to cowl up abuse allegations throughout Al Fayed’s possession between 1985 and 2010.
He at all times denied the accusations.
Lawyer Maria Mulla mentioned as soon as feminine workers had been chosen for jobs like secretary or non-public assistant, they’d bear medical examinations, reminiscent of cervical and ovaries screenings.
“If the women would query why the tests were necessary, they would be told…he wants to make sure that you are clean,” Mulla mentioned.
Workers had been threatened in the event that they tried to complain in regards to the abuse, she mentioned.
Harrods mentioned it was “utterly appalled” by the allegations.
“These were the actions of an individual who was intent on abusing his power,” Harrods mentioned in an announcement. “We also acknowledge that during this time his victims were failed and for this we sincerely apologise.”
Al Fayed offered Harrods to the funding car of the Qatar royal household in a deal reported to be price round 1.5 billion kilos ($2.3 billion) in 2010.
The division retailer mentioned it’s now a “very different organisation”.
‘TOXIC, UNSAFE’
Several media organisations had uncovered allegations of sexual abuse towards Al Fayed up to now, together with Vanity Fair in 1995, ITV in 1997 and Channel 4 in 2017. Many of the ladies solely felt capable of communicate publicly after he died final 12 months.
In 2009, prosecutors determined to not cost Al Fayed over a declare he sexually assaulted a 15-year-old woman in his retailer, saying there was no practical prospect of conviction.
“Since new information came to light in 2023 about historic allegations of sexual abuse by Al Fayed, it has been our priority to settle claims in the quickest way possible, avoiding lengthy legal proceedings for the women involved,” Harrods mentioned.
The course of is accessible for any present or former Harrods workers.
Armstrong mentioned Harrods was conscious of Al Fayed’s behaviour method earlier than 2023 and will have acknowledged it earlier.
Born within the Egyptian metropolis of Alexandria, Al Fayed started his profession promoting fizzy drinks after which labored as a sewing-machine salesman. He constructed his household’s fortune in actual property, transport and building, first within the Middle East after which in Europe.
Al Fayed spent 10 years attempting to show Princess Diana and his son Dodi had been murdered when their automobile crashed in a highway tunnel in Paris in 1997. His claims had been unsupported by any proof, in accordance with the inquest into Diana’s demise.
Source: www.anews.com.tr