A jury in Paris has found Salim Berada, also known as the “Tinder rapist,” guilty of 19 years in prison for raping and sexually assaulting 17 women between 2014 and 2016. The 38-year-old photographer met his victims through dating apps, including Tinder. On Thursday, the public prosecutor called him an “insatiable self-centered hunter” and asked for a severe sentence.
Berada himself still denies that he abused women. According to him, the relations were consensual, and some claims were completely fabricated. He will be given the floor for the last time on Friday, after which a statement is expected. Since the trial began, civil litigants, many of them young women in their twenties, have appeared in large numbers.
The case has attracted considerable public attention, and many people are following the proceedings closely. The court is expected to issue a final verdict soon. The impact of this trial on online dating security and the accountability of dating apps in user screening 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 that will be facilitated through online platforms.