France, May 22 -- France set up a special task force in February to probe alleged sexual crimes and possible financial wrongdoing committed in the country or involving French nationals who could be implicated in Epstein's crimes.

It came after the United States Justice Department released the latest batch of the so-called "Epstein files" relating to its investigation into the disgraced financier, who was found dead in his prison cell in 2019 awaiting trial for trafficking underage girls for sex.

The top Paris prosecutor, Laure Beccuau, said earlier this week that around 20 suspected victims had made themselves known after she urged potential victims to speak. Ten "new victims" had come forward, she said.

RFI spoke to investigative jour...