French singer Patrick Bruel placed in police custody amid sexual‑assault probe

French singer and actor Patrick Bruel, 67, was detained by police on the orders of the Nanterre prosecutor’s office as part of an investigation into multiple sexual‑assault allegations. The inquiry stems from complaints by three women that Bruel committed attempted rape and sexual aggression between 1997 and 2001, and it now includes additional accusations from other women in France and Belgium, some relating to alleged incidents in 2010 and 2012.

Bruel has denied all charges. In response to the investigation, he has cancelled his upcoming theatre run in Paris, suspended a series of concerts scheduled through September across France, Belgium and Switzerland, and withdrawn from performances with the charitable group Les Enfoirés. His legal team says he is cooperating with investigators and remains available to answer questions in court.