Patrick Bruel was released In the early hours of Thursday morning, following his indictment for rape, attempted rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment, the 67-year-old singer and actor was not remanded in custody, contrary to the Nanterre prosecutor's request. He is now subject to judicial supervision with bail set at €500,000.
Pre-trial detention ruled out
After 48 hours in police custody, Patrick Bruel was brought before the investigating judges at the Nanterre court. The prosecution had requested his pre-trial detention, but the judge in charge of pre-trial detention decided to release him under judicial supervision.
The investigating judges themselves did not refer the matter to the judge of freedoms and detention to request imprisonment. It was the public prosecutor who directly initiated this debate, as permitted by law. At the end of the hearing, the request for imprisonment was not granted.
The obligations imposed on Patrick Bruel
The judicial supervision order sets out a series of specific prohibitions and obligations. Patrick Bruel cannot leave the country. He must surrender his passport to the court clerk. He is prohibited from contacting the alleged victims and their family members, as well as from going to their homes.
The singer is also prohibited from frequenting massage parlors. He must provide proof of psychological treatment. Finally, he must post bail of 500,000 euros, set as a guarantee for his continued release.
Four indictments
Patrick Bruel has been formally charged in four separate cases. The alleged offenses include an attempted rape in Brussels in 2010, a rape in Neuilly-sur-Seine in 2008, sexual assault and harassment in Perpignan in 2019, and sexual harassment in Ajaccio in 2019. The investigation also encompasses several reports and complaints, with the alleged incidents occurring over a long period. The Nanterre prosecutor's office indicated that the detentions currently concern thirteen alleged victims.
Four other cases under assisted witness protection
In four other cases, Patrick Bruel has not been formally charged but placed under the status of assisted witness. These cases concern an attempted rape between 2010 and 2011 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, a rape in Dinard in 2012, a rape in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue in 2015, and sexual harassment in Nyon, Switzerland, in 2019. Another rape reported in Grenoble in 2000 was dismissed due to the statute of limitations. This means that, on this specific point, the judges considered that prosecution could no longer be pursued.
A defense that disputes everything
Patrick Bruel denies all the accusations against him. During his police custody, he denied any criminal offense and stated that, in his opinion, there had been no attempted violence or rape. He also provided investigators with physical evidence and witness statements presented as favorable to his defense. Regarding certain older incidents, he indicated that he had no clear recollections. The statute of limitations for several cases will continue to be examined as part of the investigation.
The tour is not legally prohibited
None of the obligations imposed as part of his judicial supervision prevent Patrick Bruel from pursuing his professional activities. The supervision does not include a ban on performing on stage or any specific restrictions on his concerts. However, the artist had already announced the cancellation of a large part of his upcoming tour, planned to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the album Alors regarde, which was to launch in Paris before a series of festival appearances. The remaining dates scheduled for the fall are not, at this stage, affected by the judicial measures.
The investigation begins
The formal charges now open a new phase of the legal proceedings. The investigation will continue under the authority of the investigating judges. Patrick Bruel remains presumed innocent.
