Patrick Bruel placed under judicial control as French court opens sexual‑assault probe

French prosecutors in Nanterre opened an information judiciaire against singer‑actor Patrick Bruel, accusing him of rape, attempted rape, sexual aggression and harassment involving nine alleged victims between 2010 and 2019, with additional complaints dating back to the 1990s. The parquet requested his indictment and a provisional detention order. On 10 June 2026 Bruel was presented to three judges of instruction after a 48‑hour police custody that had been extended by 24 hours. The judges placed him under judicial control instead of ordering pre‑trial detention, allowing him to remain free pending further investigation.

The case also incorporates allegations from Belgium (a 2010 Brussels complaint) and other jurisdictions, and references earlier reports by Mediapart that first named Unifrance director Daniela Elstner as a victim. Several new complaints were filed during his custody, bringing the total number of alleged victims to 13. Bruel consistently denies the accusations and has cancelled most of his upcoming tour dates while his lawyers state he is “at the disposal of justice.”

Victims’ lawyers hailed the judicial control decision as a “first judicial victory” and emphasized the seriousness of the multiple, similar testimonies.