British woman alleges rape by French police officer in Aubagne; three officers arrested

A British woman has alleged she was raped by a French police officer in the back of a patrol vehicle after officers found her intoxicated in the street in Aubagne, near Marseille, French authorities and media reported.

According to the French daily Le Figaro and statements from the Marseille prosecutor's office, the woman — who has not been publicly identified and whose residency status in France has not been confirmed — said three police officers picked her up on a road in Aubagne last week. She alleges one officer raped her in the rear of the vehicle in the presence of at least one colleague and filed a complaint at a police station the following day. The Marseille prosecutor's office opened an investigation and the three officers were subsequently arrested on Friday.

Prosecutors have charged one officer with "rape and sexual assault by a person abusing the authority conferred on them by their position," and he remains in police custody, Le Figaro reported. A second officer has been charged with "willful failure to prevent a crime or offense against the integrity of a person" and was placed under judicial supervision. The third officer has been placed under assisted witness status, according to the reporting.

Authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances of the alleged assault, including the precise timing or the officers' identities, citing the ongoing investigation. It was also not immediately clear whether the woman was a tourist or a resident of France.

The case comes amid heightened public scrutiny in France of sexual violence and of allegations of abuse involving people in positions of trust. French media reported months earlier that a British tourist said she had been repeatedly raped by a taxi driver in Paris; that woman was treated by emergency services and reported the alleged attack to police. That incident, which authorities also investigated, drew attention to the risks faced by visitors and residents alike and intensified calls for stronger protections and accountability.

Under French law, rape committed by a public official acting in connection with their duties can carry enhanced penalties. Prosecutors in Marseille said they had opened inquiries to establish the facts, gather evidence and determine any further charges. Investigators typically collect forensic evidence, interview witnesses and review patrol vehicle logs and any available video or radio records as part of such probes.

The Marseille prosecutor's office did not immediately respond to requests for further comment beyond the account provided to the press. The judicial process is ongoing, and the accused officers are entitled to legal representation and presumption of innocence until proven guilty in court.