The popular French singer and actor Patrick Bruel has been taken into police custody as part of an investigation into alleged rape and sexual assault involving at least 13 women.
The Nanterre prosecutor’s office will question Bruel specifically about three allegations of rape and sexual assault that allegedly occurred between 1997 and 2003.
The office has also taken over an investigation into an alleged rape in 2012 during a film festival in Dinard, in northern France, which was previously being handled by the Saint-Malo prosecutor.
The prosecutors said they are looking into other allegations of sexual abuse and harassment that have come to light since the first accusations were made public.
Mid-May, government spokesperson Maud Bregeon encouraged women to come forward about sexual violence committed by the singer, "even decades later".
Bruel, who has released top‑selling albums and has appeared in more than 40 films, has denied all of the accusations against him.
His lawyer, in a statement, said the singer would answer all questions and remain available to investigators.
During questioning, investigators will also ask Bruel to address a complaint filed in Belgium on 1 June by a woman who alleges he sexually assaulted her in Brussels in 2010.
Prosecutors will not question him about allegations made by television presenter Flavie Flament, who says the singer raped her in 1991, when she was 16 years old. She has filed a complaint with the Paris prosecutor's office.
Bruel has cancelled most of a tour that was scheduled to start on 16 June in Paris and which would have taken him around France, as well as to Switzerland, Belgium, and Canada.
(with newswires)
