French actor Gerard Depardieu, known for his role in the 1974 hitGoing Places has been accused of rape by a 22-year-old woman. He will not attend his trial on charges of sexual assault, related to events on the set of the film The Green Shutters in 2021, which is due to kick off in Paris on Monday afternoon.
Gerard Depardieu to skip trial
He had been advised against attending the hearings in person for health reasons, and that the actor was seeking a postponement according to his lawyer. "Gérard Depardieu is extremely affected and unfortunately, his doctors have forbidden him from appearing at the hearing," he said.
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As per the French judicial system, Depardieu is undergoing formal investigation. Depardieu's lawyer Herve Temime told CNN's affiliate BFMTV that his client was shocked by the accusation and totally denies any assault, any rape and any criminal act.
Gerard Depardieu accused of rape
The complaint was filed on August 27 and went to the Paris prosecutor on August 29. Temime confirmed that Depardieu knows the accuser, but denied that he was with her during the dates mentioned in the complaint.
Known as one of the most prolific character actors in film history, having completed more than 170 films since 1967, Depardieu's most recent works include many French films and an animated adventure drama Sgt . Stubby: An American Hero, starring Logan Lerman and Helena Bonham Carter.