French YouTuber released without charge after rape allegations

Trigger warning: This article contains mentions of rape.

A French YouTube star has been released without charge "pending further inquiries," Paris prosecutors said Tuesday, Dec. 6 after he was detained by police investigating allegations that he raped several women.

Norman Thavaud, who shot to fame with quirky send-ups of everyday events, has faced accusations from six alleged victims, according to French Daily Liberation, which first reported his detention.

Thavaud has been released "pending further inquiries," police said, after he was held for questioning on Monday, Dec. 5 as part of a preliminary investigation.

Five of the women have accused him of rape, and two said they were minors at the time, according to the paper.

Another woman, a Canadian identified as Maggie D., publicly accused Thavaud in 2020 of manipulating her to send him sexually suggestive photos and videos when she was 16, which could see him charged with corrupting a minor.

Maggie D. confirmed to AFP that she was currently in France so that she could testify to investigators in Thavaud's presence, having already filed a complaint in Canada.

Thavaud, whose YouTube handle is "NormanFaitDesVideos" (Norman Makes Videos), has amassed nearly 12 million subscribers with videos seen more than 2.7 billion times since he launched his act in 2011.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, he had also taken his act on the road for a series of live shows.

His team was not immediately available for comment. 

Several sources told AFP that as the case stood, Thavaud's detention would not necessarily lead to prosecution.

France has seen a series of sexual abuse allegations against prominent media, entertainment, and political figures in the wake of the #MeToo movement.

Many have not led to trial, however, because of the statute of limitations or insufficient evidence. (AFP)