Gérard Depardieu: French actor to be tried over sexual assault allegations
Paris prosecutors have announced that French actor Gérard Depardieu will face trial on accusations of sexual assault. According to broadcaster BFMTV, the 75-year-old actor was called to a Paris police station on Monday morning for questioning regarding separate allegations made by women who collaborated with him on film sets in 2014 and 2021.
Depardieu, who denies the allegations, was released from custody later that day, as stated by his lawyer. Subsequently, prosecutors revealed that he is scheduled to appear in court in October to address the 2021 assault allegations.
Confirming the summons, the Paris public prosecutor informed the BBC that Depardieu will be judged in October 2024 for alleged sexual assaults against two victims during the filming of the movie “Les volets verts” (The Green Shutters) in September 2021.
One of the women involved alleges that the assault occurred on the film set, with her lawyer recounting that Depardieu grabbed her in a corridor, trapping her between his legs and touching her body up to her breasts, leaving her feeling completely powerless.
In addition, Depardieu faced charges in 2020 for the alleged rape of actor Charlotte Arnould when she was 22 years old in 2018.
In its statement on Monday evening, the prosecutor said: “Additionally, G. Depardieu is under investigation (in another case) for the offenses of rape and sexual assault allegedly committed in August 2018 against Charlotte Arnould.
“The investigating judge concluded their inquiries on 17 April 2024, and forwarded the case to the Paris prosecutor’s office to gather their recommendations on the next steps to take”.
A separate case was brought by actor Hélène Darras but was dropped by prosecutors for being past the statute of limitations.
Depardieu has also been accused of sexual assault by more than a dozen women.
He denies wrongdoing and claims any relationships he has had were consensual.
In an open letter published last year, he said: “Never, ever have I abused a woman”.
Oscar-nominated Depardieu is a prominent figure in French and international cinema, having made more than 200 films.
1 comment
I will be very happy