Paris Police Scandal: 2 French Cops Accused Of Raping 26-Year-Old Woman In Custody, Suspended After Video Leak

In a deeply disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through France, two police officers have been charged with allegedly raping a 26-year-old woman while she was in custody at a courthouse in Bobigny, northeast of Paris. The men, aged 23 and 35, were taken into custody after prosecutors found video evidence apparently showing part of the assault.

According to Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau, the officers have been charged with rape and sexual assault by persons abusing their authority and have been remanded in custody. The prosecutor confirmed that the decision was based on “the complainant’s statements, corroborated by several elements in the case file,” including the brief video clip.

Authorities revealed that the alleged incident took place overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday inside the Bobigny judicial court, where the woman was being held for acts of parental neglect. The two policemen, who were on duty at the time, claim that the sexual encounter was consensual—a claim prosecutors say is under serious scrutiny. “The reality of consent must be questioned,” Beccuau told France Info, adding that the woman was deprived of her freedom of movement and “in a situation of physical constraint” when the alleged assault took place.

A four-second video, discovered on the phone of one of the accused officers, reportedly shows a sexual act inside the detention area. Investigators say the footage supports the woman’s version of events and undermines the officers’ defense.

Following the allegations, Paris Police Prefect Patrice Faure announced on social media that he had immediately suspended both officers pending further investigation. France’s internal police watchdog, the IGPN (Inspection Générale de la Police Nationale), has launched a full inquiry into the case. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez condemned the incident, saying, “If proven, these actions are extraordinarily serious and unacceptable.” He added that law enforcement officers are expected to uphold the highest ethical standards, especially while dealing with individuals in custody.

This case comes amid growing public anger over misconduct within French police forces. In a separate incident, a police officer is set to stand trial next year for allegedly raping an undocumented woman of Angolan nationality inside a police station near Paris. The woman had reportedly gone to file a domestic violence complaint. Meanwhile, France’s National Assembly this week passed a landmark bill redefining rape as any non-consensual sexual act, a move widely hailed as a shift from “a culture of rape to a culture of consent.”

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The Bobigny case has reignited national debate over power dynamics, police accountability, and the definition of consent when one party is in custody. Women’s rights advocates have called for greater oversight and reforms within France’s justice system to ensure such incidents are never repeated.

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As investigations continue, the French public watches closely, demanding transparency, justice for the victim, and systemic changes in how law enforcement handles those under their authority.

With inputs from agency.