Emma Ailes

Nearly 250 women accuse former French cultural official Christian Nègre of drugging them during job interviews between 2009 and 2018, allegedly using diuretics to induce uncontrollable urination and humiliating situations. Survivors Anaïs de Vos and Marie-Hélène Brice describe lasting psychological and physical effects, while police reportedly found a spreadsheet documenting alleged experiments on victims. Nègre, who was dismissed in 2019, is under formal investigation for drugging, invasion of privacy and sexual assault and awaits trial; he declined to comment. The case has renewed scrutiny of France’s response to chemical submission, the difficulty of detecting drugs years later, and lengthy judicial delays that victims say amount to revictimization.

Around 250 women accuse former French senior cultural official Christian Nègre of drugging them with diuretics during job interviews between 2009 and 2018, allegedly to induce uncontrollable urination and humiliate them. Survivors Anaïs de Vos and Marie-Hélène Brice describe being taken into public spaces, becoming physically distressed and being forced to urinate. Police reportedly found a spreadsheet titled “Experiments P” documenting alleged victims and details of the incidents. Nègre faces a formal investigation for drugging, invasion of privacy and sexual assault, but has not yet gone to trial. Survivors and women’s rights groups criticize years of delays, while a French pilot program enables suspected victims to test blood, urine and hair samples without first filing a police complaint. Experts warn that delayed testing often makes evidence difficult to detect.

Nearly 250 women accuse former French senior civil servant Christian Nègre of drugging them during job interviews between 2009 and 2018, allegedly using diuretics to induce uncontrollable urination and humiliating situations. Several women, including Anaïs de Vos and Marie-Hélène Brice, describe lasting psychological and physical effects and say police later identified them as possible victims through a spreadsheet found on Nègre's computer. Nègre, who was dismissed by the Ministry of Culture, is under formal investigation for drugging, invasion of privacy and sexual assault and is awaiting trial; he denies comment through his lawyer. Campaigners and experts say France is improving its response to chemical submission but that delayed investigations, limited testing windows and institutional failures continue to leave victims unsupported.

Nearly 250 women allege that former French senior civil servant Christian Nègre drugged them during job interviews between 2009 and 2018, often causing uncontrollable urination and humiliating situations. Accusers say police found a spreadsheet documenting the alleged experiments, while prosecutors are investigating Nègre for drugging, invasion of privacy and sexual assault; he denies comment through his lawyer and is awaiting trial. The case has highlighted chemical submission, the difficulty of detecting diuretics long after an incident, inadequate support for victims and lengthy judicial delays. French MP Sandrine Josso has promoted a pilot programme allowing suspected victims to submit blood, urine or hair samples for testing without first filing a police complaint.