Warning: contains details of alleged sexual offences and misconduct
French star Patrick Bruel has fiercely denied allegations he sexually assaulted a number of women during his 50-year career as a singer and actor.
Bruel, 67, has in recent weeks been the subject of a wave of accusations – some of which are now being examined by prosecutors with a view to possible court action.
Among his latest accusers is the well-known TV and radio presenter Flavie Flament, who alleges the singer drugged and raped her at his Paris home in 1991, when she was 16 and he 32.
Bruel, who is currently performing at a Paris theatre, wrote in a post on Instagram that he had never in his life forced myself on a woman.
Nor have I ever drugged, manipulated or tried to subjugate anyone… nor used my fame to abuse or obtain non-consensual relations, he said.
Born Patrick Benguigui in Algeria in 1959, Bruel came to fame in the early 1980s with songs such as Marre de cette nana-là (Had enough of that chick). His strong voice and dark brooding looks led to a public obsession that became known as Bruelmania.
He has remained in the public eye and the abuse allegations against him have been making front-page news in France.
Bruel is due to start a concert tour in June of France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada after finishing his theatre engagement, but a feminist group has launched an online petition to have the tour cancelled.
In addition to Flament, around 30 other women have complained about sexual mistreatment by Bruel, according to French investigative website Mediapart.
Around 10 of these cases are now being reviewed by prosecutors in the Paris suburb of Nanterre. They include a case that was initially dropped in 2020 for lack of evidence. Two separate allegations are being studied in the Brittany town of Saint-Mâlo and in Belgium.
French government spokeswoman Maud Bregeon said on Tuesday that female victims should be encouraged to speak out even decades later, adding it is up then up to the justice system to establish the truth of the facts.
Flament claims Bruel set his heart on her after they met on the set of a TV programme and invited her back to his flat, where she alleges the assault took place. Bruel's lawyer, however, contends that the relationship was consensual, a claim Flament firmly denies.
This controversy has rekindled discussions around sexual exploitation in France, especially in light of past allegations Flament has made against other influential men, which led to significant changes in the laws surrounding sexual crimes. As the investigation progresses, Bruel's case continues to evoke strong reactions across the media and public spheres.
