Extreme Sexual Violence in the Libertine Scene: Four Men Indicted in Bordeaux

An extensive investigation has been launched after the discovery of numerous videos depicting non-consensual sexual abuse, filmed over more than a decade in various libertine settings.

The Bordeaux public prosecutor’s office announced on Friday, April 11, that four men have been indicted in a case involving aggravated rape with acts of torture and barbarity within the libertine community. The offenses reportedly occurred between 2011 and 2024 and, at this stage, involve five identified female victims aged between 45 and 67. Investigators seized numerous videos, particularly at the home of one of the suspects, in which the absence of consent is clearly apparent. “Cries of pain” are frequently heard in the footage, according to prosecutor Renaud Gaudeul.

A Complaint Triggers the Case, Followed by Multiple Testimonies

The investigation was triggered in November 2023 when a woman filed a complaint against her ex-partner — now one of the indicted — accusing him of orchestrating multiple group rapes involving other men between 2020 and 2023. The assaults were allegedly filmed without her consent, and she described a long-term strategy of psychological control. Her account led authorities to question four other former partners of the same man, who reported similar abuse.

The main suspect, a 55-year-old maintenance worker, was arrested in July 2024. While he admitted to the sexual encounters, he claimed they were consensual. However, based on the video evidence, the authorities determined that the women had not consented.

A Widening Investigation, Additional Suspects Identified

Analysis of the footage led to the identification of additional suspects. Three other men, aged between 40 and 57 and all residing in Gironde, were arrested on April 9 as part of a major police operation. One admitted to being aware that his female partner had not consented, while the others denied any wrongdoing.

The videos were filmed in various locations, including libertine clubs in the Bordeaux area, public spaces in the same city, and other regions such as Hérault and Gard. All four men face life imprisonment if convicted. The investigation, led by the Poitiers research unit with support from the regional investigation division, is ongoing and may lead to further arrests.

The main suspect’s lawyer has called for the inquiry to expand, suggesting that the case could expose broader issues within certain circles of the libertine world, where the boundaries between consent and coercion appear to have been dangerously blurred.