French actor Gerard Depardieu strongly contests rape and sexual assault charges levelled against him, his lawyer says, and has asked that the associated investigation be allowed to proceed away from the public eye. Depardieu, one of France's most famous and prolific actors, was placed under formal investigation on charges of rape and sexual violence in December last year, a judicial source told Reuters on Tuesday. "Mr Depardieu was indicted in December 2020, information that had remained secret since then, in accordance with French law. This information became public yesterday, which is regrettable," lawyer Herve Temime said in a statement sent to Reuters. "Mr Depardieu is and remains presumed innocent. He strongly contests the accusations against him. The investigation must continue in calm, secrecy and respect for Mr Depardieu's presumption of innocence." Depardieu, 72, has starred in 170 movies, gaining international recognition with leading roles in the English language comedy Green Card and in Cyrano de Bergerac. In 2019, French prosecutors said they had dropped an investigation into rape allegations against Depardieu, citing insufficient evidence. Australian Associated Press
French actor Gerard Depardieu has been charged with rape and sexual assault.
French actor Gerard Depardieu strongly contests rape and sexual assault charges levelled against him, his lawyer says, and has asked that the associated investigation be allowed to proceed away from the public eye.
Depardieu, one of France's most famous and prolific actors, was placed under formal investigation on charges of rape and sexual violence in December last year, a judicial source told Reuters on Tuesday.
"Mr Depardieu was indicted in December 2020, information that had remained secret since then, in accordance with French law. This information became public yesterday, which is regrettable," lawyer Herve Temime said in a statement sent to Reuters.
"Mr Depardieu is and remains presumed innocent. He strongly contests the accusations against him. The investigation must continue in calm, secrecy and respect for Mr Depardieu's presumption of innocence."
Depardieu, 72, has starred in 170 movies, gaining international recognition with leading roles in the English language comedy Green Card and in Cyrano de Bergerac.
In 2019, French prosecutors said they had dropped an investigation into rape allegations against Depardieu, citing insufficient evidence.
Australian Associated Press
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