French actor Gérard Depardieu is set to stand trial in Paris on Monday over accusations of sexually assaulting two women during the filming of Les Volets Verts (The Green Shutters) in 2021. The 76-year-old actor denies all allegations.
Prosecutors claim Depardieu made obscene remarks and inappropriately touched both a 54-year-old set dresser and a 34-year-old assistant director, including allegedly trapping one of them with his legs before groping her in front of crew members. Both women have filed formal complaints.
Originally scheduled for October, the trial was postponed due to Depardieu’s health concerns, including a quadruple heart bypass and diabetes. However, a court-appointed medical expert determined he is fit to stand trial. The proceedings are expected to last two days, with scheduled breaks for the actor.
Depardieu’s lawyer, Jérémie Assous, reiterated his client’s denial of the accusations, stating that Depardieu “considers that he ought to defend himself in court and explain himself to judges.” Meanwhile, the lawyer representing one of the plaintiffs, Carine Durrieu Diebolt, asserted that the case is strong and noted that four additional women who claim to have been assaulted by Depardieu will testify.
This marks the first time Depardieu has faced trial over sexual assault allegations, despite over 20 women having previously accused him of misconduct. Many cases did not proceed due to a lack of evidence or statute of limitations.
In a separate case, Depardieu was charged in 2020 with rape and sexual assault following accusations by French actor Charlotte Arnould regarding two incidents in August 2018. Prosecutors have requested that case go to trial, but a magistrate has yet to rule on the matter.
Source: Swifteradio.com
