BruineMehdi withdraws from De slimste mens finale after three police complaints

Allegations spread online

Allegations of sexual misconduct against Mehdi El Hadri, the 32-year-old influencer known as BruineMehdi, spread on TikTok and Instagram days before any formal complaint was filed. An influencer published videos claiming to have received testimonies from dozens of women, and later went to the police together with three complainants. The accusations reported include inappropriate remarks towards women, pushy behaviour and unsolicited requests for nude photos. Mehdi, who has more than 42,000 followers on TikTok and 56,000 on Instagram, had been a contestant on Play's quiz De slimste mens ter wereld and had won several episodes.

Complaints and investigation

Three complaints were filed with police on Wednesday, 11 November, and the parket of East Flanders then opened an investigation into possible sexual offences. A spokesperson said the probe should bring clarity about the precise circumstances, while the prosecutor's office has not disclosed how serious the alleged facts are. According to Het Nieuwsblad, which spoke with the complainants, at least two of them describe acts that could be legally classed as rape. One woman told the paper that she had said no several times. Mehdi's lawyers formally deny the sexual offences.

Play and Woestijnvis respond

Play had already announced an independent inquiry on Tuesday, 10 November, and appointed lawyer Christine Mussche to carry it out. On Wednesday, 11 November, Mehdi was still shown in a broadcast episode, and the programme placed a disclaimer before episodes recorded before the complaints. The finale weeks, in which the best players of the season return, are scheduled to air from 7 December, and their recordings only start in late November. On Thursday, 12 November, Play and its producer Woestijnvis said Mehdi would not take part, calling the decision "the only right and appropriate choice". They then closed Mussche's inquiry and handed the matter to the authorities.

Withdrawal and defence

On Thursday, 12 November, Mehdi announced on Instagram that he was withdrawing from the finale weeks, and he thanked the broadcaster and crew for the chances he had received. He said the days since the allegations surfaced had made a deep impression on him and his environment.

“The past few days have made a big impression on me and my environment. The programme does not deserve that negative attention.”

Mehdi also said the investigation was crucial for clearing his name and reputation. His lawyer Sanne De Clerck, who specialises in sexual offence cases, described the online spread of the accusations as a witch hunt. Criminal lawyer An-Sofie Raes, speaking to VRT, warned about trial by social media and said the public trial had largely already taken place.

“On social media, public condemnation and the online pillory come first, and the investigation only follows afterwards.”

What comes next

De Clerck has stressed that the presumption of innocence must be respected and that only a court can establish the facts. Play said it would keep following developments and re-evaluate its approach for later episodes if the investigation gives reason to do so. The finale weeks are scheduled to air from 7 December, while recording for them starts in late November.