The public prosecutor launched an investigation in November following allegations of sexual misbehaviour during an event at Hubert Clément high school in Esch-sur-Alzette, although it appears to have been a misunderstanding.

The directory of the girls' high school Hubert Clement in Esch had been informed about suspected sexual misbehaviour at a party organised by the Namaste theatre group. In late January, the Ministry of Education revealed that the prosecutor's office had been investigating the case since November. On Thursday evening, students from the theatre group issued a public statement to clarify their position on the matter. Annick Goerens from RTL gathered additional details about the case, shedding more light on the ongoing investigation.

What is known

At the end of October, the administration of Hubert Clément High School was made aware of allegations of "sexually motivated misbehavior" during an event hosted by the school's youth theatre. In accordance with the legal requirements under the youth protection act, the head of the school promptly forwarded the information to the prosecutor's office. In response, the prosecutor's office initiated a police investigation, which involved searches of teachers' offices and homes, as well as house searches of both current and former students of the school.

The individuals involved, including both adults and minors, were questioned regarding accusations of inappropriate sexual behavior. As a result of the ongoing investigation, the theatre group has been prohibited from reconvening.

"Much ado about nothing"

In response to the allegations, the theatre group has issued a statement clarifying the events. They explained that the incident in question occurred at their annual closing party, where the students had been enjoying themselves without consuming alcoholic beverages. The tradition includes a playful and harmless "stupid game" – described as a skit, pretending to be knights and involving wooden spears and sticks. According to the group, this game is typically played only by a few boys, while others in the group tend to leave the room, as they do not enjoy it.

The game involves pretending to insert a stick into a boy's behind, but students assured that all participants were fully dressed and in a conscious state of mind. They firmly stated that no customs or boundaries were violated during the activity.

Why was the prosecutor's office informed of this tradition?

The students involved in the theatre group have shared their perspective on the situation, expressing concern over the misunderstandings. They explained that during the event, a minor who was uncomfortable with the game chose to leave the party. This student likely described the nature of the game to their parents, who, may have perceived the game as inappropriate – potentially resembling attempted assault if the context was not fully understood.

The concerned parents subsequently reached out to the head of the school, which led to the involvement of the police and the launch of an investigation. The students acknowledge the school’s obligation under the Youth Protection Act to report the matter to the public prosecutor. However, they feel that if the school had been able to engage directly with the theatre group beforehand, much of the confusion could have been avoided.

What happens next?

In today’s digital age, the students were able to provide video footage of the game to the police, which they believe should clear up any misunderstandings. From their perspective, the case should be closed, and they expressed regret over the time lost without theatre practice and the separation from their beloved theatre community.

When asked for further comment, the prosecutor’s office confirmed that the investigation is still ongoing. The head of the school, Jean Theis, was unaware of any statement being issued to the press and chose not to comment on the ongoing case. He did, however, express hope for a quick resolution.

In their press statement, the students also voiced concerns over their freedom of speech, claiming that the school administration had advised against publishing an article in the school paper about the incident. While not outright forbidden, the students felt that their opinion had not been fully respected. Despite this, the Namasté theatre group remains determined to focus on what matters most to them: returning to the stage.