French singer Patrick Bruel under formal investigation for rape

One of France's best-known showbusiness stars, Patrick Bruel, has been placed under judicial investigation on several counts of rape and sexual abuse, in the latest fallout from the Me Too movement. After two days in custody in the western Paris suburb of Nanterre, the 67-year-old singer and actor went before a panel of four judges on Wednesday evening. They confirmed the state prosecutor's request that Bruel be placed under investigation in several cases of rape, attempted rape and sexual assault and harassment. Bruel has consistently denied the charges against him. The judges released him from custody under judicial supervision, rejecting a request from prosecutors that he remain in detention. Being placed under investigation means that an examining magistrate will now look more deeply into the charges against Bruel, whose lawyers will have access to the prosecution file. In most cases, the procedure results in a trial. Of the nine alleged offences put forward by prosecutors, the judges formally moved ahead on four counts of rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment. The rape allegation dates back to 2008, a case of alleged attempted rape to 2010 and the other two charges to 201