Story By: Ernest Bio Bogore, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News

A suspected paedophile who fled France after allegedly conning artists out of more than 80,000 GBP is being held in Mali for raping three underage girls after posing as a philanthropist helping orphanages.

According to local media, Frenchman Karl Babin, 50, has been remanded in custody in the Mali capital Bamako pending trial following his arrest for paedophilia.

Reports said Babin moved to Mali after working as an adviser to Michel Gourinchas, the mayor of Cognac in France.

He was previously accused of swindling 93,000 EUR (80,915 GBP) from several artists that was intended for a comic strip project, according to local media.

After the scandal, Babin moved to the north-western African country of Mali where he reportedly presented himself as a philanthropist and a defender of children’s rights.

He was actively involved in social activities and he helped orphanages, according to local media.

Reports said that he once even launched a petition so the Malian government would allow foreigners to adopt children in the country.

His acts of generosity earned him the title of the village chief of Neneko where children referred to him as Tonton Toubabou (White Man), according to local media.

Following his arrest on 29th January for allegedly raping three girls and sexually assaulting two others aged between seven and 14 years, reports said he wrote the following message on social networks last month:

“I inform you that my behaviour with children will not change. I bring them warmth, tenderness and love in the noble sense of the word and they return it to me in the same way.

“I hold them close to me, I caress them, I give them kisses and even kiss them on the mouth without any thought or sexual connotation, and I won’t change anything, whether you like it or not!”

Last week, two victims reportedly appeared before prosecutors to formally accuse the defendant, who has denied the charges.

The case has been submitted to the investigating judge and Babin is being held in custody in Bamako as the investigation continues.

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