French actor Gérard Depardieu is set to face trial following serious allegations of rape and sexual assault dating back to 2018. His accuser, fellow actor Charlotte Arnould, expressed her relief at the news that the case would be heard in court, marking a significant step after seven years since she lodged her complaint.
Details of the allegations
Depardieu, 76, has vehemently denied all charges, asserting that his interactions with Arnould were consensual. In a previous conviction from May, he was found guilty of sexually assaulting two members of a film production crew four years ago, which resulted in his inclusion on a sex offender registry without serving time in prison. He also denied those allegations.
“Seven years later, seven years of horror and hell… I think I’m having trouble realizing how huge this is. I’m relieved,” Arnould shared in a social media post.
Arnould’s legal representative, Carine Durrieu Diebolt, confirmed that Depardieu has been summoned to court regarding the accusations of rape and digital penetration against Arnould, which she claims occurred on two separate occasions at his home in Paris in August 2018. Diebolt stated, “My client and I are relieved and confident. This is a form of judicial truth for Charlotte while she awaits the criminal trial.”
Legal proceedings and background
Though the case was initially dismissed due to a lack of evidence, it gained new momentum when Arnould filed a complaint as a civil party, prompting a judicial investigation to be launched in the summer of 2020. The date for the upcoming trial has yet to be announced.
In a letter to Le Figaro published in 2023, Depardieu reiterated his innocence, saying, “Never, ever, have I abused a woman.” He added, “There was never any coercion, violence, or protest between us,” in reference to his relationship with Arnould.