Patrick Bruel faces two new rape and sexual assault complaints, bringing total to at least 31

Two fresh complaints have been lodged against French singer and actor Patrick Bruel, adding to a growing file of sexual violence allegations that now numbers at least 31 complaints, according to BFMTV. The complaints, filed on 16 and 23 July with the first district of the Paris judicial police, include one accusation of rape said to have occurred in autumn 1994 and another of sexual assault in spring 2005. The plaintiffs' lawyer, Iris Biehler, told Mediapart that while the alleged acts appear to be time-barred, the filings are intended to be transmitted to the investigating judges already seized of the wider case.

The two new allegations

The first complainant, who was 19 at the time, says the singer forced her into a sexual act in a hotel room in Toulouse after inviting her to a concert. She told investigators she remained silent for years, describing a lasting trauma and a suicide attempt a few months after the alleged assault. The second complainant, an American-Scottish actress, accuses Bruel of forcibly kissing her during the filming of the movie Ô Jérusalem in Greece and of repeatedly making advances despite her refusals. She said she stayed quiet because of the power imbalance between a star and a young actress.

Lawyer Iris Biehler told Mediapart that these complaints illustrate 'actions, repeated over many years'. She added that although the filings concern acts appearing to be prescribed, 'they are nevertheless intended to be transmitted to the investigating judges already seized'.

The existing judicial file

Bruel, 67, was placed under formal investigation on 10 June after 48 hours in police custody. He faces charges in four cases: an alleged rape in Neuilly-sur-Seine in 2008, an attempted rape in Brussels in 2010, a case of sexual assault and sexual harassment in Perpignan in 2019, and a sexual harassment case in Ajaccio, Corsica, also in 2019. The Nanterre prosecutor's office confirmed those details in June of this year.

In four additional cases, Bruel holds the more favourable status of assisted witness. Those involve an alleged rape in Dinard in 2012, an alleged rape in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue in 2015, alleged attempted rapes in Neuilly-sur-Seine in 2010 and 2011, and an alleged incident of sexual harassment at the Paléo Festival in Nyon, Switzerland, in 2019.

Investigating judges are also examining testimony from thirteen other women concerning alleged acts of rape, attempted rape, sexual assault, or sexual harassment between 1992 and 2008, as well as six complaints filed since mid-June. Of the total 31 complaints, 14 have been deemed time-barred but may be re-examined by the French justice system.

Judicial supervision

Bruel was placed under judicial supervision and escaped the pre-trial detention requested by the prosecutor's office. He is forbidden from leaving French territory, making contact with the victims or their families, visiting their homes, or frequenting massage parlours. He must also provide proof of psychological counselling and has posted bail of 500,000 euros.

The complaint filed by Flavie Flament is still in the process of being transferred between the Paris and Nanterre prosecutor's offices, and additional complaints could be filed in the coming weeks, according to Mediapart and BFM.

Bruel's response

Through his lawyers, Bruel 'firmly contests' all accusations and maintains he 'never overstepped a refusal'. His legal team has indicated that he no longer wishes to respond publicly to each new complaint and will reserve his explanations for the investigating magistrates.