Patrick Bruel Held Over 13 Sexual Assault Allegations as Prosecutors Weigh Charges
Updated
Updated · NBC News · Jun 11
Patrick Bruel Held Over 13 Sexual Assault Allegations as Prosecutors Weigh Charges
3 articles · Updated · NBC News · Jun 11
Summary
Patrick Bruel, 67, has been in police custody since Monday after at least 13 women accused him of rape, attempted rape, sexual assault or harassment, according to the Nanterre prosecutor’s office.
Three initial complaints alleging sexual assault and attempted rape in 1997, 2000 and 2001 triggered the investigation, which later expanded as more women were identified and interviewed.
A 2012 alleged rape case from Dinard was transferred to Nanterre, and Belgian authorities this month notified French prosecutors of a woman’s allegation of rape and sexual assault in Brussels in 2010.
Bruel denies the allegations, and his lawyers said he had made himself available to investigators; prosecutors were due to decide by day’s end whether to file preliminary charges or release him.
Media reports in recent weeks, notably by Mediapart, brought decades of allegations into public view and prompted additional complaints against the singer and actor.