Russell Brand has been charged with rape and multiple sexual assaults dating from 1999 to 2005, following a police investigation triggered by media reports. He denies the allegations.

London’s Metropolitan Police announced on Friday that actor and comedian Russell Brand has been formally charged with rape and multiple counts of assault relating to incidents that allegedly occurred between 1999 and 2005.

Brand, 50, who was previously married to American pop singer Katy Perry, has in recent years repositioned himself as a social media commentator, often promoting conspiracy theories through his online platforms.

In 2023, UK media outlets Channel 4 and the Sunday Times published testimonies from four women who alleged that they had been raped or sexually assaulted by Brand. The identities of the alleged victims have not been made public.

On Friday, Brand was charged with the rape of a woman in 1999 in Bournemouth, located on England’s southern coast. He is also accused of the oral rape and sexual assault of a woman in central London in 2004.

In addition to those charges, Brand faces accusations of indecent assault involving a woman in 2001, as well as the sexual assault of another woman between 2004 and 2005.

"We have today authorized the Metropolitan Police to charge Russell Brand with a number of sexual offences," said prosecutor Jaswant Narwal.

"We carefully reviewed the evidence following a police investigation into allegations that emerged after the broadcast of a Channel 4 documentary in September 2023," Narwal added. "We have concluded that Russell Brand should be charged with offences including rape, sexual assault, and indecent assault."

Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and encouraged anyone with relevant information to come forward. “We urge anyone who has been affected by this case, or anyone who has any information, to speak with the police,” he said.

Brand, widely known for his provocative and unrestrained stand-up comedy, was once one of the UK’s most prominent television personalities. He hosted numerous radio and TV shows and authored memoirs recounting his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction.

He was married to singer Katy Perry from 2010 to 2012 and appeared in several Hollywood films, including Get Him to the Greek.

In recent years, Brand has distanced himself from mainstream media and claimed to have relocated to the United States. Nevertheless, he has cultivated a large following online, where he shares videos that often blend wellness topics with conspiracy theories.

The comedian has denied all allegations, asserting that his past relationships were “always consensual.”