Gérard Depardieu will return to criminal court in Paris for a new rape and sexual assault trial tied to accusations brought by the actress Charlotte Arnould, The Associated Press reports.
Depardieu is accused of sexually assaulting Arnould and rape by digital penetration. The alleged attack took place at Depardieu’s home in Paris in August 2018 while the pair were reportedly rehearsing a scene for a play. Arnould was 22 at the time and Depardieu was 70.
Arnould reported the alleged attack to police a few days after, but the actor wasn’t indicted and charged until 2021. The case continued to make its way slowly through the French criminal justice system, with prosecutors finally submitting a request for the case to head to trial late last year. (In the meantime, Depardieu stood trial on separate sexual assault charges, on which he was convicted earlier this year.)
On Instagram Tuesday, Arnould responded to the decision to bring the case to trial by saying, “The order restores a form of judicial truth. I think I’m having trouble realizing how huge this is. I am relieved.”
Her lawyer, Carine Durrieu-Diebolt, echoed the sentiment to Franceinfo, saying she was “extremely satisfied” and called the decision “a moment of judicial truth in this case.”
A lawyer for Depardieu did not immediately return Rolling Stone’s request for comment. Depardieu has previously denied the allegation, claiming his encounter with Arnould had been consensual. (Depardieu has faced several other allegations of sexual misconduct, all of which he has denied, too.)
Depardieu’s conviction earlier this year pertained to allegations brought by two women, who accused the actor of sexually assaulting them on the set of the film The Green Shutters in 2021. One woman testified that Depardieu grabbed her hips and chest and, at one point, asked her to touch his penis with obscene language. The other woman claimed Depardieu touched her breasts and buttock on several occasions, and once blocked her against an apartment door and put his hands on her chest.
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Following his conviction, Depardieu received an 18-month suspended sentence, civil penalties, and his name was added to the national sex offender registry. Depardieu’s lawyer previously said the actor would appeal the decision.
From Rolling Stone US
