Trending 
French prosecutors in the Brittany town of Saint-Malo confirmed on Wednesday that they have opened a formal rape investigation against singer and actor Patrick Bruel.
The inquiry follows a complaint filed in September 2024 regarding an alleged incident at a film festival in Dinard in October 2012, where Bruel was serving as jury chairman.
While the 66-year-old star has faced various allegations of sexual misconduct in the past, his legal team has consistently denied any wrongdoing, and no charges have been brought in previous cases.
A second, separate complaint was recently registered by Daniela Elstner, the Director General of Unifrance.
This complaint alleges attempted rape and sexual assault during a French film festival in Acapulco, Mexico, in 1997.
Additionally, investigative news site Mediapart has published accounts from six other individuals claiming they were subjected to sexual assault by the entertainer between 1992 and 2019.
Bruel’s attorney, Christophe Ingrain, stated that his client maintains he has never forced anyone into a sexual act and noted that some prior investigations have already been closed by the courts.
Bruel is a prominent figure in French entertainment, with over 40 film credits and a highly successful music career.
This latest investigation adds to a series of high-profile sexual assault allegations involving major French celebrities, following the recent conviction of film icon Gérard Depardieu.
As the Saint-Malo inquiry progresses, sources indicate that Bruel has not yet been formally questioned by authorities regarding the newest claims.
