Overview
- Proceedings opened January 5 in Aix-en-Provence and were placed under seal by presiding judge Roger Arata after a brief suspension.
- One victim’s lawyer sought full closure for dignity, while other complainants favored public or partial openness; the court applied the rule that victims may demand in-camera hearings.
- Cyril Zattara, 47, has been in pretrial detention for nearly five years and faces charges of 14 aggravated rapes and privacy violations, with 19 civil parties in the case.
- Investigators cite a pattern of sedatives slipped into drinks or food, toxicology indicating substances such as zolpidem and GHB, videos showing victims in a lethargic state, and DNA recovered in at least one complaint.
- Alleged offences span 2010 to 2021, largely within the local dance community, after earlier complaints in 2003 lapsed under limitation rules; the verdict is expected on January 20.