Patrick Bruel accused of sexual assault – Lawyer denies the accusations

Paris – 12.06.2026: Patrick Bruel, well-known French singer and actor, is under serious allegations. After 48 hours of custody, the 67-year-old was presented on June 10, 2026, in Nanterre to several examining judges. He is accused of rape, attempted rape, sexual coercion, and sexual harassment. The allegations refer to alleged incidents that occurred between 2008 and 2019, not only in France but also in Belgium and Switzerland.

Bruel denies all accusations and has been released under strict restrictions. These include travel limitations, a ban on contacting the alleged victims, a requirement for psychological treatment, and a bail deposit of 500,000 euros. Further investigations are ongoing, including into older allegations that may be time-barred.

Bruel’s lawyer, Myriam Guedj Benayoun, stated that her client denies all accusations and is determined to prove his innocence. She also emphasized that the decision by the examining judges to release Bruel under strict conditions, despite the seriousness of the charges, sends a signal to victims of sexual abuse, who are often ignored.

The accusations concern several cases: among them an alleged rape in 2008 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, an attempted rape in 2010 in Brussels, as well as coercion and sexual harassment in 2019 in Perpignan and Ajaccio. Bruel is also involved as a “assisted witness” in four other proceedings, meaning he is not accused but included in the investigations.

The public reaction to the accusation is very noticeable. Bruel, who achieved great success in the ’80s and ’90s with songs like “Casser la voix” and “Place des grands hommes,” has already canceled all scheduled appearances in France and abroad in the coming months. He wants to fully focus on the legal matters.

In recent years, the French justice system has intensified action against sexual assaults, especially in the cultural and entertainment sectors. The #MeToo movement played a crucial role, encouraging many victims to make incidents public and report them criminally. The investigation into Bruel fits into this social context and raises questions about power relations and the management of abuses in the entertainment industry.

The French authorities have announced that the investigations will be carried out with great priority to do justice both to the alleged victims and to the accused. The development of this high-profile case will be closely followed both in the cultural world and in public opinion.