Inside the Rennes-Vezin prison, where the conductor of the bagad d’Auray had been detained since 2019. – C. Allain / 20 Minutes
He should leave his Rennes-Vezin prison on Tuesday to be placed under electronic surveillance. Indicted for rape and harassment, the former conductor of the bagad d’Auray (Morbihan) was remanded in custody on October 25, 2019 as part of the investigation against him. Initially, two women had lodged a complaint against Loïc Le Cotillec, including a musician from bagad. In total, justice recorded six potential victims, for five indictments, the last having been pronounced at the beginning of the year.
According to the Rennes public prosecutor Philippe Astruc, “the prosecution did not appeal the decision” of this placement under surveillance. “Justice finally seems to gain height and suggest the greatest caution in the face of the charges against Loïc Le Cotillec”, responded his lawyer Me Sahand Saber. “Those who want to condemn him too quickly must see in this decision a firm reminder of the principle of the presumption of innocence”, added the lawyer, assuring that Loïc Le Cotillec “will strictly respect the obligations which accompany his house arrest under electronic surveillance “.
Facts between May and September 2019
Aged 25, the former bagad pennsoner is the target of four complaints and facing five indictments, including rape, sexual harassment and malicious phone call. The facts would have taken place between the months of May and September 2019. “These are relationships he had with girlfriends, and maybe there was inappropriate behavior. We will have to ask ourselves questions, ”said his previous lawyer, Me Frédéric Birrien. The man was visibly suffering from an alcohol addiction.
Qualified as a virtuoso of music and nicknamed “the Breton Mozart”, the young composer and singer took the reins of the formation in 2014 when he was only 18, before his abrupt departure in September 2019. “As soon as we were aware of the facts, we decided to react quickly ”, had specified Damien Moulin, president. of the Kevrenn Alré association which manages the bagad founded in 1951. It is one of the oldest groups of music and dance of traditional Breton inspiration.
A preliminary investigation entrusted to the General Inspectorate of the National Police has been opened after publication in the press minutes of hearings of the first victims. The lawyer of one of them had filed a complaint for violation of the secrecy of the investigation.