A Paris court has convicted Salim Berrada, the so-called ‘Tinder rapist’, of raping or sexually assaulting approximately seventeen women between 2014 and 2016. The 38-year-old photographer met his victims through dating apps, including Tinder. The public prosecutor on Thursday called him “an insatiable egocentric hunter” and demanded a strict sentence.
Berrada himself continues to deny that he has abused women. According to him, the relationships were consensual and some claims were completely fabricated. He will be given the floor one last time on Friday, after which a statement is expected. Since the trial began, civil parties, many of them young women in their twenties, have shown up in large numbers.
The case has gained significant public attention, with many people closely following the proceedings. The court is expected to deliver a final verdict soon. The impact of this trial on online dating safety and the responsibility of dating apps in screening users will likely be discussed in the coming days. The outcome of this trial will also have implications for future cases involving sexual assault and rape facilitated through online platforms.