The artist has been accused by more than twenty women of sexual violence. He was charged in four cases over alleged offences between 2018 and 2019. Prosecutors’ calls for him to be remanded in custody were not upheld.
In France, singer Patrick Bruel, the subject of several complaints from women accusing him of sexual assault and placed under formal investigation in four cases relating to alleged offences committed between 2008 and 2019, was released under judicial supervision after 48 hours in police custody.
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The performer has also been granted assisted-witness status in four other cases.
"Formal charges against Mr Patrick Bruel were being considered in nine cases. In four of those cases, the investigating judges decided to place him under formal investigation. In another four, they decided to grant Mr Patrick Bruel assisted-witness status. As for the final case, the statute of limitations had expired, so it was not examined," his lawyer, Maître Fanny Colin, explained.
The liberties and detention judge at the Nanterre court did not follow the prosecution’s request that the singer be remanded in custody.
Under the terms of his judicial supervision, Patrick Bruel is not allowed to leave French territory. He is also banned from contacting the complainants and their relatives, from going to their homes or from visiting massage parlours. The artist must also prove he is undergoing psychological treatment and pay bail of 500 000 euros.
The public prosecutor’s office now has ten days to appeal this decision.
An icon of French chanson, Patrick Bruel had been due to embark on a summer festival tour with nearly 15 dates. The singer has ultimately cancelled all his concerts until next September.
