French Authorities Search Arab World Institute After Epstein Files Spur Probe of Jack Lang

French financial prosecutors allege aggravated tax-fraud laundering after raids tied to ex-culture minister and renewed scrutiny of ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Jack Lang leaves after the funeral service for the late Tunisian-born Italian cinema star Claudia Cardinale at the Church of Saint‑Roch in Paris on Sept. 30, 2025. Stephanie Lecocq/Reuters

French police conducted a search of the Arab World Institute in Paris on Monday after the U.S. government’s release of the Epstein files triggered a financial crime investigation into the Institute’s former head, ex-culture minister Jack Lang, according to France’s national financial prosecutor.

A spokesman for the National Financial Prosecutor’s Office told The Epoch Times via email that search operations were underway at several locations, including the Arab World Institute in Paris, as part of a preliminary investigation opened on Feb. 6.