Graphic artist jailed in France over child rape livestream in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — A French court sentenced a graphic artist who worked on beloved animated feature films for Pixar and Disney to 25 years in jail for ordering the livestreamed rape of preteen girls in the Philippines.

The Paris court late Thursday found Bouhalem Bouchiba guilty of paying women in the Philippines between 2012 and 2021 to rape and sexually assault girls aged between five and 10 in front of a camera while he watched via livestream and issued instructions.

Bouchiba, 59, had confessed to the charges during the four-day trial.

“I am aware of everything I did. I ask the victims’ forgiveness,” he told the court, admitting during his testimony that the violence resembled “torture.”

Bouchiba worked at the Pixar and Disney animation studios, contributing to blockbusters like 2004 hit “The Incredibles” and “Ratatouille,” released in 2007.

“On the one hand you have a graphic artist who delighted children,” said state prosecutor Philippe Courroye.

“On the other, Bouhalem Bouchiba was a pedophile filmmaker who staged his own horror movies,” he said.

Each show cost between 50 and 100 euros (P3,000-P6,000), with the total Bouchiba spent on the performances coming to just over 50,000 euros or P3 million.

Police became interested in Bouchiba when Europol, the European Union’s law enforcement agency, sent out an alert about suspicious money transfers to the Philippines.

On Oct. 4, 2021, Bouchiba – who was living in the United States at the time – was arrested at San Francisco’s airport and extradited to France.

The suspect was already known to police, having been found guilty in 2009 of the sexual abuse of his stepdaughter.

Following Bouchiba’s conviction, Gabriela party-list yesterday sought stronger financial intelligence monitoring against online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC).

“The fact that this predator was able to facilitate these heinous crimes for nearly a decade through money transfers is absolutely unacceptable,” House assistant minority leader and Gabriela Women’s Party congresswoman Arlene Brosas said.

“We demand justice for all Filipino children victimized by foreign predators who take advantage of poverty in our country. We must strengthen our laws against OSEC and ensure proper implementation of Republic Act 11930 or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children Law,” she added.