Pierre Robert case: Dakar court refers suspects to trial in child exploitation probe

A judicial investigation in Dakar has concluded regarding a transnational child exploitation network allegedly led by French restaurateur Pierre Robert, known by the alias ‘Peter Babtou’. The Doyen des juges at the Dakar High Court has issued an order to refer key suspects to the criminal chamber, while granting partial dismissals (non-lieu) to others.

The investigation, conducted by Senegal’s Criminal Investigation Division (DIC) in coordination with French authorities, uncovered a structured criminal organization operating between 2016 and 2024. The network allegedly targeted young boys across Senegal, France, Morocco, and Mali through kidnapping, sexual abuse, and systematic filming of the acts.

Pierre Robert was arrested in Beauvais, France, in April 2025. The case gained significant attention following testimony from a victim who reported contracting HIV after encounters with Robert. In Senegal, several individuals identified as ‘trainers’ reportedly confessed to acting under Robert’s instructions in exchange for payment. The legal proceedings will now address charges including human trafficking, organized criminal association, and aggravated pimping.