On the third day of the trial with, the famous French actor said before a court that he does not think that catching a man’s backs is a sexual assault and that some women are very easily shocked, but he himself denied the accusation attributed to him.
The 76 -year -old is facing an increasing number of sexual attack categories in recent years, in a case that brings to the forefront of how women in the cinema industry are treated as well as the #Metoo movement.
The famous actor denies any criminal act and this is the first case he is being tried. He is accused of sexually attacked two women during filming in 2021.
“The sexual assault is something more serious than that … But a hand on one’s backs, it’s not … (this),” said Gerard Depardieu, asked about the complaint of one of the two plaintiffs that he was in the midst of her, though he then said he did not know what he did not know.
In addition, Depardieu denied that she touched her in a obscene way: “I didn’t touch her back, I didn’t touch her chest, I didn’t do any of them.”
The young woman, the second pilot she testified, said that her Depardieu had sexually attacked her.
“I was frozen out of terror, I was shocked, I didn’t know what to say,” said the woman, who asked not to be publicized by her name.
The French Criminal Code explains in detail that touching another man’s backs by surprise, embarrassment or threat is a sexual assault.
Attack on #MeToo
During the first two days of the trial, which began on Monday, Deardiere criticized the #Metoo movement. Yesterday, he described it as a “form of hysteria”.
The #MeToo world movement has exposed powerful men accused of sexual harassment in areas such as entertainment, politics and businesses.
Earlier in the trial, Depardieu admitted that he touched the other plaintiff, Ameli, on the hips, but denied that it was an attack.
Zeremy Aso’s lawyer chose to follow an aggressive defender, arguing that the accusations were false and the researchers prejudice, while wanting to destroy the actor.
If found guilty, the 76 -year -old protagonist could face up to five years in prison and a fine of 75,000 euros.
Depardieu is also accused of rape in another case.
Actress Charlotte Arnul, who has accused him of raping her in 2018, when she was at the age of 22, was at the hearing at the time of the trial.
The defendant’s lawyer indirectly referred to her and called her a liar. When she burst into tears, Amelie K. looked at her, kindly smiled at her in a demonstration of sympathy.
AP photo/Aurelien Morissard
Depardieu supports Fanny Ardan
“I, Fanny Ardan, have never witnessed a move that I was to be shocking,” Gerard Depardieu’s behalf, the French actress said, testifying to the court today.
“I am myself too, I have met such things, they have slapped me, they have offended me. I know that we can say no to Gerard, “she added and kissed her” everlasting friend “, as she described him as she left the courtroom.
“I’m here as a girlfriend of Gerard, I always know him, so I can talk about him in front of this court,” Ardan told the court.
Called as a witness from the defense of Depardieu, the famous artist said:
“What I can say is that the world has changed, society has changed, the reference points are no longer the same, there are things we tolerate and things that are no longer tolerated.”
