French singer Patrick Bruel placed under formal investigation for rape and sexual assault spanning 2008–2019
The 67-year-old singer and actor was released under judicial supervision on Wednesday after being questioned by police, escaping pre-trial detention that prosecutors had requested.
The charges
Patrick Bruel, one of France's top-selling recording artists, was placed under formal investigation on Wednesday evening in Nanterre for rape, attempted rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment. The charges span incidents alleged to have occurred between 2008 and 2019. Being placed under formal investigation means an examining magistrate will now look more deeply into the charges, a step that in most cases results in a trial.
The singer is cooperating with the investigation and is at the disposal of the judicial authorities.
The cases
Bruel faces formal investigation in four cases: an alleged rape in Neuilly-sur-Seine in 2008, an attempted rape in Brussels in 2010, sexual assault and harassment in Perpignan in 2019, and sexual harassment in Ajaccio, Corsica, also in 2019. In four additional cases he holds the more favourable status of assisted witness. Those involve an alleged rape in Dinard in 2012, a rape in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue in 2015, attempted rapes in Neuilly-sur-Seine in 2010 and 2011, and sexual harassment at the Paléo Festival in Nyon, Switzerland, in 2019. A further alleged rape in Grenoble in 2000 has been ruled time-barred.
The accusers
Around two dozen women have come forward with accusations of sexual violence against the singer. French media report at least 26 women have accused Bruel of sexual violence or harassment. Among the complainants is French television presenter Flavie Flament, who alleges Bruel drugged and raped her in 1991 when she was 16 years old. Bruel denies the accusation, stating the two had a brief relationship.
I have never forced a woman. I have never drugged, manipulated, or sought to submit anyone.
Judicial supervision
Prosecutors had requested Bruel be placed in pre-trial detention, but the judge instead released him under judicial supervision. He must post bail of €500,000, is barred from leaving French territory, cannot contact the alleged victims or their families, must not visit their places of residence, and is prohibited from visiting massage parlours. He must also provide proof of psychological counselling.
Career and fallout
Born Patrick Benguigui in Tlemcen, Algeria, in 1959, Bruel rose to fame in the early 1980s with hits that sparked a generational phenomenon dubbed "Bruelmania." He has sold 15 million albums according to his label Sony and appeared in more than 30 films. Since the first testimonies were published in March by Mediapart and Elle magazine, Bruel has cancelled all concerts until September. The case comes amid heightened sensitivity in France over judicial treatment of sex offences, following the murder of an 11-year-old girl whose suspected killer had been the subject of prior abuse denunciations.
