A sentence of three years in prison was required against the visual artist, a figure of contemporary art.

Jan Fabre, who did not attend his trial, denies all the charges brought against him.

Caught up by the #metoo wave in 2018, the 63-year-old Fleming was tried for "violence, harassment or sexual harassment at work" against 12 former employees of his company Troubleyn.

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

Charges for which he faces up to five years in prison.

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

“At the first rehearsal, he tells me that I am fat and stupid,” said a young beginner while another describes “a toxic work environment” during the investigation.

Several alleged victims have recounted erotic photo sessions directed by the choreographer, under the "false pretext" of publication in an artistic magazine.

Some sessions ended with sexual intercourse.

Ignoring his advances could be worth bullying and brutality, testified one of them.

"Culture of Fear"

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

She judged the testimonies of the victims "very credible" and criticized the choreographer for having established "a culture of fear" in the company.

His defense delivered a completely different image of Jan Fabre, portrayed in "romantic anar", but certainly "not a criminal".

His lawyer Eline Tritsmans admitted the "strong character" of the artist known for his provocations, and the fact that working with him "is about giving 100%" in grueling performances where one aims for "real exhaustion , the real emotions".

"It is not a question here of helpless minors who are abused but of strong, educated women who choose to go and do radical dance with Jan Fabre", argued Me Tritsmans.

The penalist had video recordings of rehearsals projected in 2015 and 2017 where we see the choreographer giving his instructions 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.

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 nicknames or diminutives.

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

Flagship accusation of the file, summarizing in the eyes of the alleged victims its tendency to harassment, the formula "No sex, no solo" was denounced by the lawyer as "a rumor, a gossip".

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 works (drawings, sculptures) of this protean artist who explore the themes of death, metamorphosis, religion or science have been exhibited regularly in Europe, from Venice to Paris via Saint Petersburg.

In 2002, he covered the ceiling of the hall of mirrors of the royal palace in Brussels with 1.4 million beetle elytra with blue and green reflections, one of his most famous achievements.

© 2022 AFP