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French actor Gerard Depardieu will go on trial on charges of sexual assault, Paris prosecutors announced.
According to broadcaster BFMTV, the 75-year-old actor was summoned to a Paris police station on Monday morning.
He was questioned about other allegations brought by women who worked with Mr Depardieu on film sets in 2014 and 2021.
Depardieu was released later the same day and denies the charges, his lawyer said.
Shortly after, prosecutors announced that Depardieu would appear in court in October on charges of assault in 2021.
“I can confirm that a summons has been issued to G. Depardieu to appear before a criminal court following his detention,” the Paris prosecutor told the BBC.
“He is scheduled to be sentenced in October 2024 for the sexual assaults he allegedly committed against two victims while filming a movie in September 2021.”Les vole verts” (Green Shutters)”
One of the women involved in the incident claims that the assault took place on the set of the film, which was released the following year.
Her lawyer told BFMTV that his client “was passing through the hallway where Mr. Depardieu was sitting.
“He grabbed her, put her between his legs and groped her body up to her breasts.
“She felt completely helpless and unable to escape this trap.”
In 2020, the actor was charged with raping 22-year-old actor Charlotte Arnold in 2018.
In a statement Monday night, prosecutors said: “Furthermore, G. Depardieu is being investigated (in a separate case) for rape and sexual assault allegedly committed against Charlotte Arnoul in August 2018. ” he said.
“The trial judge concluded the investigation on April 17, 2024 and transferred the case to the Paris Public Prosecutors Office to collect recommendations on next steps.”
Another lawsuit was filed by actor Hélène Dallas, but was dropped by prosecutors because the statute of limitations had passed.
Mr. Depardieu has also been accused of sexual assault by more than a dozen women.
He has denied any wrongdoing and maintains the relationship so far has been consensual.
In an open letter published last year, he said, “I have never abused a woman.”
Oscar-nominated Depardieu is a prominent figure in French and international cinema, having made more than 200 films.
