In brief
Gérard Depardieu, the renowned French actor, is set to stand trial for rape and sexual assault allegations made by fellow actor Charlotte Arnould. The trial follows a lengthy period of investigation and was prompted by Arnould's persistent pursuit of justice, highlighting her emotional turmoil over the past seven years. Depardieu, who has denied the allegations, insists that any relationship with Arnould was consensual. His past conviction for sexual assault in an unrelated case adds further complexity to his legal troubles. Details on the trial date are yet to be revealed.
French actor Gérard Depardieu has been ordered to stand trial over allegations of rape and sexual assault in 2018.
His accuser, actor Charlotte Arnould, said she was relieved the case was going to court, seven years after she filed a complaint.
Depardieu, 76, has denied the charges, insisting his relationship with Arnould was consensual.
He was convicted in May of sexually assaulting two members of a film production crew four years ago - and placed on a list of sex offenders, but not jailed. He had denied their allegations.
Seven years later, seven years of horror and hell... I think I'm having trouble realising how huge this is. I'm relieved, Arnould wrote in a social media post.
Arnould's lawyer, Carine Durrieu Diebolt, confirmed Depardieu had been ordered to stand trial for the alleged assault and rape by digital penetration of Arnould on two occasions at his Paris home in August 2018.
My client and I are relieved and confident. This is a form of judicial truth for Charlotte while she awaits the criminal trial, she said.
The trial's date has not yet been set.
In a letter published in Le Figaro in 2023, Depardieu denied the allegations, writing: Never, ever, have I abused a woman.
There was never any coercion, violence, or protest between us, he said, referring to Arnould.
The case was initially dismissed for insufficient evidence, but after Arnould filed a complaint as a civil party, a judicial investigation was opened in the summer of 2020.
