Patrick Bruel under investigation over nine rape allegations

One of France’s most famous show‑business stars, Patrick Bruel, has been placed under judicial investigation on several counts of rape and sexual abuse in the latest fallout from the Me‑Too movement.

After two days in custody in the western Paris suburb of Nanterre, the 67‑year‑old singer and actor appeared before a panel of four judges on Wednesday evening. They confirmed the state prosecutor’s request that Bruel be investigated in several cases of rape, attempted rape and sexual assault and harassment, and a judge will decide whether to keep him in custody.

Bruel has consistently denied the charges against him. He says he never forced himself on a woman and has insisted that he only ever took a negative answer as a refusal.

Under French law, rape is defined as any non-consensual act of penetration. The procedure usually leads to trial, after which the accused may face sentencing.

Feminist campaigners welcomed the news, noting that France is still sensitive to how the judiciary handles sex offences, especially after the tragic case of Lyhanna, an 11‑year‑old girl whose suspected killer had earlier been accused of abuse.

Alongside actor Gérard Depardieu, Bruel is the most celebrated French figure to fall under accusations of sexual abuse. Depardieu received a suspended sentence last year for assault on a film set and has appealed the conviction.

Bruel, born Patrick Benguigui in Algeria in 1959, rose to fame in the early 1980s with songs such as “Marre de cette nana‑là.” The singer’s powerful voice and brooding looks spawned a wave of what was dubbed “Bruelmania.”

He has appeared in more than 30 films and was recently on stage in a theatre production in Paris. The disputes have led to the cancellation of his last performances and most dates on a planned concert tour across France, Belgium, Switzerland and Canada.

Earlier complaints for sexual harassment were shelved in 2020 because of lack of evidence. In May of this year, investigative website Mediapart reported that roughly 30 women had similar stories of harassment or assault, many occurring on film locations or off‑stage in music venues.

Last month the accusers joined well‑known TV and radio presenter Flavie Flament, who alleged that in 1991, when she was 16 and Bruel was 32, the singer drugged and raped her at his Paris home. That case is not part of the nine cited by the judges, because the alleged crime occurred too long ago. Nevertheless, the state prosecutor has requested that that case and 12 other older allegations be reconsidered for possible inclusion.

Bruel maintains his innocence, telling his entourage recently that he may have been heavy‑handed but that he always respected a clear refusal. In a recent Instagram post he said that he has never forced any relations on a woman, never drugged, manipulated or used his fame to obtain non‑consensual relations.