Jan Fabre, sentenced to a year and a half in prison for sexually harassing his dancers

• They accuse Jan Fabre 20 testimonies from the beginning

Belgian artist and playwright

has been sentenced to 18 months in prison in the case of

brought against him by a group of dancers from his company.

The Antwerp Criminal Court instructed the case in March, in which the prosecution requested a three-year prison sentence against Fabre.

The Court has considered that part of the facts (some date back to 2002)

and dismissed the accusations of six of the 12 alleged victims.

In the testimonies, several dancers described the artist as

who regularly humiliated his collaborators.

In addition, several testimonies reported that Fabre directed erotic photo sessions under the "false pretext" of publishing them in an art magazine.

Some sessions ended with sexual intercourse.

Jan Fabre, who did not attend the trial, was also not present when the Court's decision was announced.

"We are satisfied with this ruling," An-Sofie Raes, one of the lawyers representing the civil parties, was quoted as saying by the Flemish daily

.

The 18-month prison sentence will be suspended for five years, during which Jan Fabre will be deprived of his civic rights, according to a copy of the sentence sent to the press.

Fabre's defense portrayed him as

who demanded to "give 100%" to the performers, "but not as a criminal."

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• theater

• sexual harassment