French Singer Patrick Bruel Faces Judicial Investigation Over Multiple Rape and Sexual Abuse Charges
Patrick Bruel, a prominent figure in French showbusiness, has been placed under judicial investigation on multiple charges of rape, attempted rape, sexual assault, and harassment. This action follows two days in custody and an appearance before a panel of four judges in Nanterre, western Paris.
The 67-year-old singer and actor consistently denies the charges against him. Being placed under judicial investigation signifies that an examining magistrate will now conduct a thorough review of the allegations. Bruel's legal team will be granted access to the prosecution's file, a procedure that, in most instances, culminates in a trial.
Feminist organisations have expressed satisfaction with this development. The case against Bruel emerges at a sensitive juncture in France regarding the judicial handling of sex offences. This heightened scrutiny follows the murder of 11-year-old Lyhanna, whose suspected killer had faced several prior abuse denunciations.
Bruel, alongside actor Gérard Depardieu, represents one of the most high-profile French figures to face such accusations. Depardieu, 77, received a suspended sentence last year for sexual assault on a film set, a conviction he is currently appealing.
Born Patrick Benguigui in Algeria in 1959, Bruel achieved fame in the early 1980s. He has also featured in over 30 films; however, his recent performances and a planned concert tour across France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada were cancelled due to these allegations.
Previous sexual harassment complaints against Bruel were shelved in 2020 due to insufficient evidence. In May of this year, the investigative website Mediapart reported approximately 30 women detailing similar experiences of harassment or assault, frequently occurring on film sets or at music venues.
Last month, prominent TV and radio presenter Flavie Flament alleged that in 1991, at the age of 16, Bruel drugged and raped her at his Paris residence. The Flament case is currently not among the nine allegations cited by the judges, owing to the alleged crime's timeframe. Nevertheless, the state prosecutor has requested that this and 12 other older allegations be reconsidered for potential inclusion in the charges.
Bruel maintains his denials, reportedly telling his 'entourage' recently, "I may have been heavy-handed… but I always took no for an answer." In an Instagram post last month, the singer stated he had "never in my life forced myself on a woman," adding, "Nor have I ever drugged, manipulated or tried to subjugate anyone… nor used my fame to abuse or obtain non-consensual relations."
