Elena Nagapetyan files rape complaint against scenographer Julien Mairesse

Saturday 20 June 2026 - 10:44

French comedian Elena Nagapetyan has filed a rape complaint against scenographer Julien Mairesse, according to her lawyer, marking the start of a criminal investigation into allegations relating to an incident said to have taken place in June 2025 in a hotel in Biarritz, southwestern France.

The case has been confirmed by Nagapetyan’s legal representative, who stated that the scenographer has been questioned by authorities and formally placed under investigation. The suspect, however, denies all allegations, with his defence arguing that the relationship between the two was consensual and preceded by a social evening during which they interacted in a professional context.

According to the complainant’s account, she reported the incident shortly after it allegedly occurred and later decided to speak publicly, saying she felt ready to do so after a period of hesitation linked to personal and professional concerns. She describes the experience as deeply traumatic and says it had a lasting emotional impact.

The defence team contests this version of events, claiming that available testimonies and surveillance footage suggest the two individuals returned to the hotel in a consensual and amicable context after an evening spent together, and that there was mutual attraction prior to the alleged incident.

The case has drawn public attention in France due to the profiles of those involved. Mairesse is a well-known figure in the music and entertainment industry, having collaborated with several prominent French artists. Nagapetyan, originally from Uzbekistan and of Armenian descent, is also a public figure known for her stand-up performances and published work.

The investigation is ongoing, and French judicial authorities have not yet announced any trial date or further procedural steps.