Patrick Bruel: French justice reopens rape investigation closed without follow-up in 2022
An investigation into singer and actor Patrick Bruel, which was closed without further action three years ago, was reopened on Monday 18 May. Around thirty women now accuse him.
Investigation reopened against Patrick Bruel after being closed without follow-up
French justice announced on Monday 18 May the reopening of a rape investigation targeting singer and actor Patrick Bruel. According to RFI, this procedure had been closed without further action in 2022, following a complaint filed in 2021 for facts dating back to 2015.
Around thirty women accuse the artist
Patrick Bruel is also targeted by four separate complaints for rape and sexual violence. In total, around thirty women now accuse the 65-year-old artist, known notably for his successful albums from the 1990s and his film career.
The reopening of the investigation comes within an already heavy judicial context for the singer. The facts targeted by the procedure initially closed concern events that occurred in 2015, ten years before justice decided to resume examination of the case.
Context: the 2022 closure without follow-up called into question
When an investigation is closed without further action in France, the public prosecutor's office considers at this stage that there is insufficient evidence to prosecute. The decision to reopen such a procedure may occur following new evidence transmitted to investigators or a complaint with the constitution of a civil party, which compels the investigating judge to open judicial proceedings.
The accumulation of testimonies and complaints against Patrick Bruel is part of a broader movement of freedom of speech in France, accelerated since 2017 by the Weinstein affair and the #MeToo movement. Several French entertainment personalities have been subject to similar proceedings in recent years.
Neither the competent public prosecutor's office nor Patrick Bruel's legal representatives had publicly communicated details of the reopening at the time of publication of this article. The artist also made no official statement reported by the media consulted.
Source: RFI