Robert Spatz

French courts have investigated allegations of sexual abuse and mistreatment at OKC’s French centre. A former educator was formally charged; that charge must not be attributed to Spatz. In June 2025, Le Monde reported a request for Spanish judicial assistance to question or possibly detain Spatz, without confirming that he himself had been formally charged.

State of the evidence

Complaints and investigative measures are documented, but no final French ruling was identified.

Legal status — source text

French inquiry reported in 2025; no verified personal indictment of Spatz.

Attribution

Alleged responsibility for conditions and abuses at the French OKC centre.

The Liège Court of Appeal sentenced Spatz to five years’ imprisonment, suspended, and a €5,500 fine in the OKC case. Reports describe findings involving physical and sexual abuse of minors, coercion, unlawful confinement and financial offences. Several co-defendants and the OKC legal entity were acquitted.

State of the evidence

The Liège ruling is documented by Belgian reporting and anti-abuse monitors.

Legal status — source text

Conviction final since the cassation appeal was rejected on 5 October 2022.

Attribution

Abuse and other offences legally established against Spatz personally.

Course of the proceedings

1. 31.05.1997 Formally charged — Charges pursued in the OKC case after the investigation began.

An early French inquiry concerning OKC ended without prosecution in Digne in 2001, according to historical case summaries. It was separate from the Belgian proceedings and later French complaints.

State of the evidence

Case history is reported by victim-support groups; the complete ruling was not reviewed.

Legal status — source text

A 2001 dismissal is reported; separate from later French investigations.

Attribution

Allegations examined and not pursued in this early French case.