French actor Gérard Depardieu’s sexual assault trial postponed

Posted On October 29, 2024October 29, 2024

Following two charges of sexual assault, Gérard Depardieu’s imminent trial has been postponed due to his poor health. The French actor, who has been accused of sexual abuse by many other women over the years, did not show up to the first day of his trial on October 28th, with his lawyer claiming that his anxiety surrounding the trial has worsened his pre-existing health conditions.

Depardieu has appeared in countless movies in his native France and Hollywood over the years, with many people considering him one of the most prolific stars in the industry.

Yet, he has faced various sexual abuse allegations throughout his career, with 13 women coming forward in April, 2023, alone to accuse him of assault. Alongside these claims, he has also been accused by women on various other occasions, with the most recent allegations coming in April 2024.

He was detained by police after he was accused of assault by two women. The incidents both occurred on a film set, with both women claiming he attacked them while filming The Green Shutters. 

On the set of The Green Shutters, one accuser claimed via her lawyer, Carine Durrieu-Diebolt, that while “passing through a corridor where Mr Depardieu was sitting”, he “grabbed her, trapped her between his legs and touched her body up to her breasts. She felt completely powerless, incapable of escaping this trap.” 

“At the time, she didn’t press charges because she didn’t want to mar the work of her colleagues and the release of the film and the kindness of the film crew allowed her to think she was going to be fine. But the trauma persisted,” Durrieu-Diebolt continued.

He could potentially serve five years if he is found guilty, but we won’t know the verdict of the trial until next year since it has now been postponed until March 24th, 2025. Despite the number of allegations Depardieu has faced over the years, he insisted in an open letter written last year, “I have never, ever abused a woman.”

According to France24, a woman also claimed that he groped her on the set of The Magician and the Siamese, a film released in 2015. However, because the statute of limitations had expired, Depardieu will not face any repercussions.

Among various allegations, Depardieu was charged with rape in 2020 by Charlotte Arnould, while journalist Ruth Baza claimed in 2023 that he assaulted her during a 1995 interview. Both cases were dropped because they had passed the statute of limitations.

For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.

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