The chief prosecutor in Paris has announced an investigation into the alleged rape of children and other charges linked to Jeffrey Epstein.
The disgraced financier was facing accusations of child trafficking when he apparently committed suicide in his jail cell in New York this month.
The inquiry will try to establish whether Epstein committed any crimes against minors while on French soil or against any French citizens abroad.
A statement from the chief prosecutor, Remy Heitz, said the investigation involved allegations concerning girls as young as 15.
US authorities arrested him on 6 July in New Jersey when he returned via private jet from Paris, where he had a residence on Avenue Foch, close to the Arc de Triomphe.
This week the advocacy group Innocence en Danger said it had received 10 witness statements involving Epstein after appealing for information about any potential crimes he may have committed in France or against French nationals.
In a statement referring to his Paris flat, the group said: “It is up to investigators ... to shed light on the use of this apartment which was owned by Mr Epstein.”
Two French ministers had called for an investigation into whether Epstein had committed crimes in the country.
Epstein is believed to have kept a list of about 100 “recruits” from areas close to where he had homes.
Meanwhile The New Republic reported that a literary agent claimed to have seen Prince Andrew, a friend of Epstein’s, receiving a foot massage from a woman at the financier’s home.
The Duke of York has faced repeated questions over his friendship with Epstein. Buckingham Palace has issued strong denials over claims from a woman who said she was forced to have underage sex with the duke at Epstein’s home.
Agencies contributed to this report
