French prosecutors confirmed on February 23 local time that French film emperor Gerard Depardieu was charged with rape and sexual assault. Depardieu, 72, is best known for starring in the movie "Big Nose Love," the latest in a series of such allegations against a prominent French figure.
Gerald de Paddio
An actress in her 20s reportedly accused Depardieu of raping and sexually assaulting her on August 7 and 13, 2018, at her home in Paris. The actress called the police in August of the same year.
Judicial sources said prosecutors had charged Depardieu with rape and sexual assault on December 16 last year. The case was initially investigated in 2018 and discontinued in 2019 due to insufficient evidence.
However, prosecutors reopened their investigations in the summer of 2002, and in December of that year, charges of rape and sexual assault were launched against Depardieu.
The identity of the actress was not disclosed. According to people familiar with the matter, Depardieu is a friend of the actress's family. There were reports that Depardieu and the actress were rehearsing a scene of a play, but sources said "the encounter was not professional".
The actress's lawyer said she hoped that her client's "privacy would be respected" as the case unfolded.
In response to Depardieu's allegations, his lawyer, Herve Temime, said Depardieu "absolutely denies any criminal charges."
Depardieu starred in "Big Nose Love Saint"
Born in central France, Depardieu has made more than 100 films, starring in films such as "Big Nose Love" and "The Count of Monte Cristo", and won the title of film emperor in many film festivals. In 1996, he was awarded the Highest French Honour, the "Order of the Order of the Knights".
Depardieu is the father of four. He has three partners, with the longest relationship with actress Elisabeth Kinero. The two married in 1970 and divorced in 2006.
In December 2012, dePardieu renounced his French citizenship over the French government's policy of imposing heavy taxes on the wealthy and raising the rate of inheritance taxes. In January 2013, he became a Russian citizen.
Depardieu has been awarded the title of Film Emperor at several film festivals
Throughout his career, Depardieu has often been embroiled in scandals that have made headlines.
Recently, there has been a wave of sexual assault allegations against prominent figures in France. Georges Tron, a former French government minister who began serving a three-year prison sentence last week, found he had raped a female subordinate during a "foot massage" in the office and at the home of the co-defendant.
Nandu reporter Shi Minglei