Gérard Depardieu to Seek Postponement of Trial Due to Health Issues
French actor Gérard Depardieu will not attend his trial scheduled to begin this Monday, as he is reportedly suffering from an illness. His lawyer, Jérémie Assous, announced that he intends to request a postponement so that Depardieu can be present when the proceedings take place. Assous made statements to public radio FranceInfo, explaining that the actor's health has significantly declined, leading to restrictions on his attendance. "Gérard Depardieu is very affected by the illness and unfortunately his lawyer has forbidden him to attend the hearing," Assous noted.
The trial concerns allegations made by two workers from the set of the film 'Les Volets Verts', who have accused Depardieu of inappropriate touching and making obscene comments. Assous emphasized the importance for his client to testify, given the severity of the accusations he has faced over the years. "Gérard Depardieu wants to express himself," Assous added, highlighting that the actor has been the subject of numerous claims which he insists are unfounded and misreported by the media.
While Assous chose not to disclose the specific nature of Depardieu's illness, he suggested that the actor's health had deteriorated significantly over recent days. Just last week, Depardieu's legal team had expressed optimism that he would be able to attend the trial, pending a doctor's confirmation. However, that hope has since been dashed due to his current condition.
In addition to the case involving the two workers, Depardieu is also facing separate accusations of rape and sexual assault from actress Charlotte Arnould, with the Paris Prosecutors Office requesting his trial on these additional charges last August. Nonetheless, no decisions have been reached yet by the investigative court.
The case has drawn significant media attention, as approximately twenty women have publicly accused or taken legal action against Depardieu, presenting a range of allegations from inappropriate comments to rape. Six of these cases are currently under review by legal authorities, while others have been dismissed due to the statute of limitations.
As this trial unfolds, it continues to raise questions about both the legal processes concerning high-profile allegations and the implications for those accused, particularly in light of the ongoing discourse surrounding sexual harassment and abuse in the entertainment industry.
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