French investigators have opened five new probes into rape allegations against former prime-time news presenter Patrick Poivre d'Arvor, confirmed by the Nanterre prosecutor's office.

These new legal proceedings follow a civil complaint filed on June 19, 2024, which has led to renewed investigations into accusations of sexual assault and aggravated rape.

Corinne Herrmann, the lawyer representing the plaintiffs, argues that the ongoing nature of the allegations may reset the statute of limitations, allowing for these new investigations.

Previously, multiple complaints against Poivre d'Arvor were dismissed by the prosecutor's office as time-barred, but the new legal framework permits plaintiffs to pursue their cases again through civil party status.

The prosecutor's office is currently assessing the admissibility of the complaints without commenting on their merit at this stage.

Among the five new accusers are journalists Hélène Devynck and Stéphanie Khayat, both of whom allege they were raped by Poivre d'Arvor in the 1990s.

Marie-Laure Eude-Delattre claims she was raped by Poivre d'Arvor as a 23-year-old intern at the Cannes Film Festival in 1985, while Margot Cauquil-Gleizes alleges she was also raped by him that same year.

The investigation has expanded to include claims of rape from two additional women and a sexual assault incident occurring between 2007 and 2018.

The principle of 'seriality' allows the justice system to investigate previously prescribed incidents if they are linked to non-prescribed ones, which may apply in this case.

Recent developments in the PPDA case were reported by Libération, highlighting the broader cultural reckoning in France regarding sexual abuse accusations in the arts and journalism.

In total, over 20 women have accused the former TF1 news presenter of rape, assault, or sexual harassment, reflecting a significant pattern of allegations.

While Patrick Poivre d'Arvor is presumed innocent, the accumulation of accusations may influence the legal proceedings and the applicability of the statute of limitations.