A verdict looms in Paris over a global Discord ring accused of abusing children

A Paris trial is set to conclude on Friday for a 29-year-old Indian man accused of being involved in a global criminal network targeting vulnerable children in the U.S., Britain, and Canada. The network, known as CVLT, coerced children into producing violent and sexual videos. Rohan Rane, the alleged leader of CVLT, faces charges including torture of minors, extortion, corrupting minors online, and distributing child sex images.

If convicted, Rane could face up to 20 years in prison. During the trial, held behind closed doors due to the sensitive nature of child abuse allegations, Rane admitted to being the group's administrator and expressed enjoyment in watching violent videos. His psychiatrist noted that Rane was in denial, refusing responsibility and blaming others.

Prosecutors revealed that Rane ordered girls to harm themselves, carve names or swastikas into their skin, and damage their genitals. Another senior member, Kaleb Christopher Merritt, is serving a 33-year prison sentence in Virginia after pleading guilty to child exploitation. Three other members have also been arrested in the U.S. The group espoused neo-Nazism, nihilism, and pedophilia as core principles.