French actor Gérard Depardieu has been ordered to stand trial over allegations of rape and sexual assault made by fellow actor Charlotte Arnould in 2018. Arnould expressed her relief at the decision to move forward after a lengthy legal battle spanning seven years.
Depardieu, now 76, firmly denies the charges, maintaining that his interactions with Arnould were consensual. This comes after he was previously convicted in May for sexually assaulting two members of a film crew, which led to his placement on a sex offender registry, though he did not serve jail time.
Highlighting her struggles, Arnould shared on social media: Seven years later, seven years of horror and hell... I think I'm having trouble realizing how huge this is. I'm relieved. Her lawyer, Carine Durrieu Diebolt, confirmed that Depardieu has been specifically charged with the alleged sexual assault involving digital penetration at his Paris home.
The upcoming trial's date is yet to be determined. Earlier this year, Depardieu published a letter in Le Figaro asserting, Never, ever, have I abused a woman, and emphasized that their relationship lacked any coercion or violence.
The case initially dismissed for insufficient evidence was revived after Arnould filed a civil complaint, prompting a judicial investigation in 2020.
