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In France, singer Patrick Bruel, who is the subject of several complaints from women accusing him of sexual violence and has been placed under formal investigation in four cases concerning alleged acts committed between 2008 and 2019, was released but placed under judicial supervision after 48 hours in police custody.
The artist has also been given assisted-witness status in four other cases.
“Formal charges against Mr Patrick Bruel had been envisaged in nine case files. Of these nine, the investigating judges decided to place him under formal investigation in four of them. In another four case files, the investigating judges decided to grant Mr Patrick Bruel the status of assisted witness. As for the final case, the statute of limitations had expired and it was therefore not examined,” his lawyer, Fanny Colin, said.
The liberties and detention judge at the Nanterre court did not follow the prosecution’s request for the artist to be placed in pre-trial detention.
As part of his judicial supervision, Patrick Bruel is not allowed to leave French territory. He is also prohibited from contacting the plaintiffs and their relatives, from going to their homes, or from visiting massage parlours. The artist must also provide proof that he is receiving psychological counselling and post bail of 500 000 euros.
The prosecution now has ten days to appeal this decision.
An icon of French chanson, Patrick Bruel was due to start a summer festival tour with nearly 15 dates. The singer has now cancelled all his concerts until next September.