French singer Bruel held in police custody on sexual assault allegations

[The Independent] French singer Patrick Bruel in police custody over alleged rape and sexual assault French singer and actor Patrick Bruel is in police custody over allegations by at least 13 women of rape, attempted rape and sexual assault, the prosecutor’s office in Nanterre said on Tuesday.

Bruel, 67, who has been in police custody since Monday, denies the allegations. The singer became a major star across the French-speaking world in the 1980s and 1990s with a string of hit songs that became part of French popular culture. He has also appeared in more than 40 film and television productions.

The Nanterre prosecutor’s office said in a statement that the investigation began after three women accused Bruel of sexual assault and attempted rape allegedly committed in 1997, 2000 and 2001. During the investigation, additional women were identified and interviewed.

They reported allegations of rape or attempted rape, sexual assault and harassment, according to the statement. Separately, an investigation opened in western France over an alleged rape in 2012 in Dinard, in the Brittany region, was transferred to the Nanterre prosecutor’s office.

Belgian authorities also formally notified French prosecutors earlier this month of allegations by a woman who accused Bruel of rape and sexual assault allegedly committed in Brussels in 2010, according to the statement. ” French judicial authorities could either file preliminary charges against Bruel or release him free of charges by the end of the day.

In recent weeks, a series of media reports, notably by French investigative website Mediapart, brought into public attention allegations by multiple women running over decades against Bruel, prompting additional complaints to be filed.

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[The Guardian] French star Patrick Bruel held by police investigating new sexual assault allegations <p>Two new rape complaints have been filed against the 67-year-old singer and actor, who denies the claims</p><p>French singer and actor Patrick Bruel, facing sexual assault allegations from multiple women, was taken into police custody on Monday, as two new rape complaints were filed against him.</p><p>The 67-year-old, a major figure in French pop culture with multiple top-selling albums and more than 40 film appearances, is being questioned about 13 victims, the prosecutor’s office in the western Paris suburb of Nanterre said in a statement.</p><p><em>Agence France-Presse contributed to this report</em></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2026/jun/09/patrick-bruel-french-singer-actor-sexual-assault-allegations-ntwnfb">Continue reading...</a>