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

Paris — French cinema icon Gérard Depardieu is in courtroom in Paris this week, accused of sexually assaulting two ladies 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 ladies didn’t instantly report the alleged offenses. Nonetheless, after the actor revealed an open letter in Le Figaro newspaper in October 2023 during which he said: “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, however it was adjourned due to Depardieu’s failing health. His lawyer informed the courtroom the 76-year-old was diabetic and had just lately undergone a quadruple-bypass coronary heart surgical procedure.

Medical consultants 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 could go longer if his well being requires breaks within the proceedings.

A large 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 ladies within the film trade. Lots of the claims surfaced years after the alleged incidents happened, nonetheless, so underneath 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 underneath 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 fees towards him, faces 5 years in jail and a fantastic equal to about $80,000 if he’s convicted.