00:00French police raid the Arab World Institute in Paris Monday as part of an investigation into France's former culture minister,
00:08Jacques Lang.
00:0986-year-old Lang resigned as head of the institute this month after his name repeatedly surfaced in files linked
00:16to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
00:18His name appeared in documents for an offshore company Epstein founded, prompting French prosecutors to open a preliminary investigation into
00:27alleged tax fraud against Lang and his daughter Caroline.
00:31Caroline told French investigative website Mediapart that Epstein wanted her to, quote, invest in young French and international artists.
00:41France's national financial prosecutor said in a statement that the Arab World Institute was among several locations being raided in
00:49connection with the investigation.
00:50When asked about the Epstein case fallout, French President Emmanuel Macron called for transparency.
00:57Clearly he had a very extensive network, which justifies letting the justice system do its work independently and calmly.
01:05Lang had led the Arab World Institute since 2013.
01:09The Paris-based cultural and research institution runs under the supervision of France's foreign ministry and promotes Arab culture and
01:17art.
01:17Lang corresponded with Epstein from 2012 to 2019, and emails show the pair discussing going to lunch, the theatre, and
01:25on a trip to Marrakesh together.
01:27The highest profile French figure to be affected by the Epstein files, Lang denies any wrongdoing and says he only
01:34stepped down to protect the Institute.
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