French cinematic legend Gerard Depardieu is set to face a criminal court in Paris this autumn, following a judicial order for him to stand trial over alleged sexual assaults. The case involves accusations from fellow actor Charlotte Arnould, which date back to 2018.
The Paris public prosecutor's office confirmed the development, stating the trial is scheduled to commence in October. This marks a significant escalation in a legal saga that has cast a long shadow over the career of one of France's most famous actors.
Details of the Allegations
The allegations stem from two separate incidents that are said to have occurred at Depardieu's home in Paris. Charlotte Arnould, who was 22 years old at the time and has also worked as a dancer and consultant, alleges that the actor assaulted her on August 7 and August 13, 2018.
Arnould first officially reported the allegations to police in 2019. After a extensive and complex investigation, which included a preliminary charge of rape being dropped due to statute of limitations issues, the case was forwarded to trial judges for a final decision on whether it should proceed.
A Long-Running Legal Battle
The path to trial has been lengthy. Depardieu was initially taken into custody for questioning in 2020 and was later placed under formal investigation for rape and sexual assault. The actor has consistently and vehemently denied all allegations through his legal team.
This trial is one of several legal challenges facing the 75-year-old actor, whose once-sterling reputation has been severely damaged by a series of accusations from multiple women. The outcome of this case is being closely watched as a landmark moment for the #MeToo movement within the French film industry.
