Famed French actor Depardieu detained over sexual assault allegations

By Silan Turp

ANKARA (AA) – Famed French actor Gerard Depardieu was detained by French police on Monday as part of an investigation into allegations of sexual assault.

According to local media reports, Depardieu, 75, was detained for questioning on allegations that he sexually assaulted two women on separate film sets in 2014 and 2021.

In 2020, he was charged with rape and sexual assault in 2020 following a complaint by actress Charlotte Arnould.

A complaint by actress Helene Darras, who accused Depardieu of sexually assaulting her during a movie shoot in 2007, was dismissed due to the statute of limitations.

Depardieu has denied the allegations, and wrote in an open letter published in Le Figaro daily last October: "I have never, ever abused a woman."

*Writing by Serdar Dincel from Istanbul