a judicial investigation opened against the singer of the group Rammstein, accused of sexual assault

A judicial inquiry has been opened into the accusations of sexual assault against the singer of the German metal band Rammstein, Till Lindemann, announced Wednesday, June 14, the Berlin prosecutor’s office. The latter told AFP that the investigation was open. “for alleged acts relating to sexual offenses and the distribution of narcotics” and “several complaints have been filed by third parties – that is, people who are not party to the alleged facts”.

The case began at the end of May with the testimony of a 24-year-old Irish woman who accused the singer and lyricist of the group of having drugged and sexually assaulted her after a concert, the same month, in Lithuania. Other young women then testified, all describing more or less the same scenario. The groupies would have been spotted in the front rows of the concerts, filmed or photographed so that Lindemann could make his choice, before for some of them being invited backstage for parties. Some would then have been drugged before being attacked by the 60-year-old singer.

calls for a boycott

The facts described are firmly denied by the artist. “These accusations are invariably false”assured his lawyers last week. “We will immediately take legal action for all such allegations”they threaten.

The success of Rammstein – many of whose songs have very raw sexual references – is based in particular on the excessiveness of the concerts, with a lot of pyrotechnics, and the imposing physical presence of Till Lindemann. The band are currently touring European stadiums. In Austria and Switzerland, calls for a boycott have been launched. He is also due to perform in Paris on July 22. Three concerts are planned in Berlin on July 15, 16 and 18.