"The case has derailed, the presumption of innocence has been violated, my client caricatured (...) he is not a criminal who should be incarcerated", launched lawyer Eline Tritsmans before the criminal court of Antwerp (north), which will render its judgment on April 29.

While three years in prison were requested last week against Jan Fabre - who was not attending his trial - the lawyer expressed on his behalf "deep regrets", "sincere apologies" to towards those whom his attitude may have offended.

Caught up by the #metoo wave in 2018, the famous 63-year-old visual artist, who is also a theater director and choreographer, is on trial for "violence, harassment or sexual harassment at work" against 12 ex-collaborators of his dance company Troubleyn.

He must also answer for an "indecent assault" against one of them.

He denies all the charges.

On March 25, the first day of the trial, he was portrayed by the civil parties as a tyrannical man at work, regularly humiliating the dancers in rehearsal, and even having practiced sexual blackmail with some.

After this overwhelming portrait, three years in prison were requested by the prosecutor.

The latter judged the testimonies of the victims "very credible" and criticized Fabre for having established "a culture of fear" in Troubleyn.

Belgian artist Jan Fabre, during a press conference in Athens on March 29, 2016 LOUISA GOULIAMAKI AFP/Archives

Friday the word was with the defense.

Me Tritsmans admitted the "strong character" of Fabre, "romantic anar" known for his provocations, and the fact that working with him "it's intense, it's giving 100%" in grueling performances: "With this essential place of the naked body, of the body in metamorphosis, we aim for real exhaustion, real emotions".

Sparkling atmosphere

But, insisted the lawyer, "this particular context + fabrien +" is well known to all those who work with him.

"It's not about helpless minors who are abused here, but about strong, educated women who choose to go and do radical dance with Jan Fabre," she said.

The penalist had video recordings of rehearsals projected in 2015 and 2017 where we see the choreographer expressing his directives firmly, but leaving room for debate.

Like when a dancer, in panties under her white tunic, disputes having to sit with her legs wide open on stage.

"We presented him as a God, a big boss who can't stand contradiction, (...) it doesn't hold up!": according to the lawyer, these extracts show on the contrary a "sparkling" working atmosphere , "creative".

Me Tritsmans defended the fact that Fabre sometimes has to shout at his troops – “football coaches do it all the time” – as well as his use of animal nicknames or diminutives with certain dancers.

"Call + ham + Annabelle Chambon (French dancer who is not a civil party, editor's note), yes we can discuss the humor, but it was not badly received", she assured.

Jan Fabre in Athens on March 29, 2016 LOUISA GOULIAMAKI AFP/Archives

Flagship accusation of the file, summarizing in the eyes of the alleged victims its tendency to harassment, the formula "No sex, no solo" was strongly denounced.

"It's a rumor, a gossip, it's not the reality," castigated Me Tritsmans.

The defense team said it collected a total of 80 testimonies sweeping away the prosecution's arguments.

The charges relate to the period 2002-2018.

In June 2021, after three years of investigation, the Antwerp Labor Auditor, a specialized section of the public prosecutor's office, decided to refer Jan Fabre to criminal justice.

The artist, exhibited throughout Europe, faces up to five years in prison.

© 2022 AFP