Gérard Depardieu goes on trial in France over alleged sexual assaults on film set

Paris — French cinema icon Gérard Depardieu is in court docket in Paris this week, accused of sexually assaulting two girls in 2021. A set designer, 34, and an assistant producer, 54, declare the actor grabbed and groped them whereas filming “Les Volets Verts” (“The Inexperienced Shutters”) in Paris in August and September 2021.

The 2 girls didn’t instantly report the alleged offenses. Nevertheless, after the actor printed an open letter in Le Figaro newspaper in October 2023 by which he acknowledged: “By no means, by no means have I abused a lady,” the set designer went to the police. She reported Depardieu for alleged sexual assault, sexual harassment and sexist insults.

The trial first opened in October, nevertheless it was adjourned on account of Depardieu’s failing well being. His lawyer informed the court docket the 76-year-old was diabetic and had just lately undergone a quadruple-bypass coronary heart surgical procedure.

Medical specialists later deemed him match to attend the trial, however restricted the hearings to 6 hours per day, with a provision for 15-minute pauses if Depardieu wanted them. The trial that opened Monday was scheduled to run for less than two days, however it might go longer if his well being requires breaks within the proceedings.

An enormous of French cinema, Depardieu has been extra notorious than well-known in recent times. He is been accused of sexual misconduct by greater than a dozen girls within the film business. Most of the claims surfaced years after the alleged incidents passed off, nonetheless, so beneath French legislation the actor can’t be tried for them.

In a high-profile transfer, the actor left his native France for just a few years a couple of decade in the past, transferring to Belgium, having criticized French tax will increase.

Depardieu has been open about his admiration for Russia beneath autocratic President Vladimir Putin, who bestowed Russian citizenship on him in 2013.

He later additionally grew to become a citizen of Dubai.

Depardieu, who denies all the costs towards him, faces 5 years in jail and a positive equal to about $80,000 if he’s convicted.