French Singer Patrick Bruel in Police Custody Over Sexual Assault Allegations
8 reported
Patrick Bruel, a best-selling French-speaking artist, was taken into police custody on Monday, June 8, as part of an investigation into alleged sexual violence, according to a report from Variety. The probe currently concerns 13 alleged victims, per the Nanterre prosecutor’s office. Bruel denies all allegations, and his lawyers stated he has been available to the justice system and will answer questions to demonstrate his innocence. The investigation initially focused on allegations by three women accusing Bruel of sexual assault and attempted rape between 1997 and 2001, with additional alleged victims identified later. At least eight formal complaints were filed in May alleging sexual assault, attempted rape, or rape, with incidents spanning from 1991 to 2015. Bruel has canceled his upcoming tour and withdrawn from the Les Enfoirés charity concert collective amid the ongoing investigation.
What’s reported
Patrick Bruel was taken into police custody on Monday, June 8, as part of an investigation into alleged sexual violence.
The probe concerns 13 alleged victims, according to the Nanterre prosecutor’s office.
Bruel denies all allegations; his lawyers said he will answer investigators’ questions to demonstrate his innocence.
The investigation initially focused on allegations by three women accusing Bruel of sexual assault and attempted rape between 1997 and 2001.
At least eight formal complaints were filed in May alleging sexual assault, attempted rape, or rape, with incidents from 1991 to 2015.
Complaints include one by Daniela Elstner regarding an alleged attempted rape and sexual assault in 1997 in Acapulco, and one by Karine Viseur alleging sexual assault while working as a press representative.
Roughly 30 women have publicly accused Bruel of sexual violence in investigations by French and Belgian media outlets.
Bruel canceled his upcoming tour on May 29 and withdrew from the Les Enfoirés charity concert collective.
Key figures
Patrick Bruel, French singer and entertainer
Christophe Ingrain, lawyer
Céline Lasek, lawyer
Fanny Colin, lawyer
Daniela Elstner, managing director of Unifrance
Karine Viseur, complainant
Sources: Variety
