Famed French actor accused of punching Italian photographer in Rome

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) – A well-known Italian paparazzi photographer was hospitalized Tuesday after reportedly being punched by French actor Gerard Depardieu in Rome.

Rino Barillari, 79, was attempting to photograph Depardieu at a bar on Via Veneto, an iconic street in Italy’s capital, the ANSA news agency reported.

Depardieu, 75, punched Barillari two or three times in the face, said the report, citing sources.

Barillari was taken to the hospital while police said they would examine CCTV footage of the alleged assault.

Last month, Depardieu was detained by French police as part of an investigation into allegations that he sexually assaulted two women on separate film sets in 2014 and 2021.

In 2020, he was handed preliminary rape and sexual assault charges following allegations by actress Charlotte Arnould.

Depardieu has denied the allegations.