Paris prosecutors have formally requested a criminal trial for renowned French actor Gérard Depardieu on charges of rape and sexual assault against actress Charlotte Arnould. The 75-year-old actor was initially charged in December 2020 for allegedly assaulting Arnould at his Paris residence on two separate occasions in August 2018.
The call for a trial comes after an extensive investigation by prosecutors, who believe sufficient evidence has been gathered to warrant a hearing. The final decision now rests with an investigating magistrate, who will determine whether the trial will proceed.
Arnould’s lawyer, Carine Durrieu-Diebolt, described the prosecutors’ move as “a huge step forward filled with hope” for her client, emphasizing that the investigation has corroborated Arnould’s allegations. Depardieu’s legal team has yet to respond to these developments.
Depardieu has consistently denied the accusations, including a series of other sexual assault claims that have surfaced in recent years. He previously stated in an interview with Le Figaro that he has “never, but never, abused a woman.”
In addition to the current case, Depardieu is scheduled to face another trial in October 2024, related to alleged sexual assaults against two different women during a film shoot in 2021.
