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Gérard Depardieu: New investigations after intensified complaint
Photo: TOBIAS SCHWARZ / AFP
In France, an investigation is pending against the actor Gérard Depardieu.
According to information from the dpa and AFP news agencies, the 72-year-old is accused of rape and sexual assault from judicial circles.
A young actress and dancer accuses Depardieu of sexually abusing her twice in his Paris apartment in August 2018.
Depardieu denies the allegations.
The actress filed a complaint in the same month, but the investigations triggered by this were discontinued in June 2019.
The Paris public prosecutor said at the time that there were no indications of possible offenses by Depardieu.
In August 2020, the woman filed a sharper lawsuit, which is why new investigations were necessary.
Criminal trial possible
The procedure was initiated in mid-December.
Depardieu's lawyer said his client "fully denies the allegations against him."
The plaintiff's lawyer asked that "the privacy and privacy" of her client be respected.
The proceedings that have now been initiated could lead to criminal proceedings if the investigating judges ultimately see sufficient evidence against Depardieu.
Otherwise they could drop the case.
Depardieu is one of the most famous French actors - among others for his roles as Cyrano von Bergerac, Obelix and Count of Monte Christo.
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bbr / dpa / AFP