Tour cancelled: Patrick Bruel's lawyer cites threats on social media
Patrick Bruel has abandoned 35 concerts scheduled for early October after being placed under formal investigation for rape. His lawyer cites online threats, not an admission of guilt.
Placed under formal investigation for rape, Patrick Bruel abandons his tour in face of threats
Patrick Bruel has abandoned his tour scheduled for early October, announced the 67-year-old singer on Tuesday 1 September. Accused of sexual violence by dozens of women and placed under formal investigation for rape, he continues nevertheless to proclaim his innocence.
According to BFM TV, his lawyer Maître Fanny Colin, invited onto the programme on Wednesday 2 September, justified this decision by "threats that have been made via social media", in particular "calls for intrusions into concert venues".
"In no way is the cancellation of these concerts an admission (...) One can perfectly well be innocent and question oneself", declared Maître Colin.
In a message published on Instagram, Bruel had for his part indicated that the tour had "become something else", namely "the embodiment of a debate that goes beyond it". He had also specified that the cancellation of the 35 concerts responded to a concern for "appeasement" and that this decision "in no way signifies that (he) is renouncing (his) defence".
At this stage, Patrick Bruel is placed under formal investigation in four cases, notably for rape and attempted rape. In four other cases, he benefits from the status of assisted witness, a legally more favourable position. According to BFM TV's count, 32 complaints have been filed against the singer.
Source: BFM TV