Depardieu’s lawyer, Hervé Temime, told CNN that the actor disputes the criminal charges and recalls the presumption of innocence and that this case was initially dismissed last June. The case was recently reopened by the judiciary.
In 2018, the French actor was accused of rape and sexual assault by a 22-year-old woman, which led to a “preliminary investigation”, according to the Paris Public Ministry.
In the French judicial system, a formal investigation takes place if officials find reasons to pursue the matter further.
Temime said in 2018, when Depardieu was first accused, that his client was “shocked” by the accusation and “totally denies any assault, rape and any criminal act”.
He then added: “I have strong elements to show that no offense has occurred” and that the offense was “the opposite” of Depardieu’s personality.
The complaint was filed on August 27 and went to the Paris prosecutor on August 29.
“I am sorry that this investigation has not been kept secret as usual,” added Temime.
Still in 2018, Temime confirmed that Depardieu knows the woman who accused him, but denied that he was with her on the dates mentioned in the complaint.
Depardieu is known for his roles in films like “Green Card”, “The Man in the Iron Mask” and “Life of Pi”. He was also nominated for an Oscar in 1991 for his lead role in “Cyrano de Bergerac”.