Gérard Depardieu was found guilty of sexual assault in the French trial of the place: NPR
Actor Gerard Depardieu arrived on March 24, 2025 in Paris to face a trial for the alleged sexual assault of two women on a film taking place in 2021.
Aurelen Morissard / AP
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Aurelen Morissard / AP
PARIS – A French court recognized Tuesday Gérard Depardieu guilty of having sexually assaulted two women on a set, condemning the icon of the French film to a suspended prison sentence.
The judges said that the two women had given coherent and credible accounting accounts to be trial by the actor, with testimonies supporting their complaints.
While the court recognized a certain uncertainty around the calendar and the location of Sarah’s assault, he highlighted the strength of his descriptions and his corroboration.
Depardieu, 76, had denied all the reprehensible acts, and his lawyer said he would appeal.
The verdict marks a major moment for the calculation of France with #MeToo, and with broader questions about the definition of the assault, in particular in the film industry.
“With this decision, we can no longer say [that Gérard Depardieu] is not a sexual attacker, “Carine Durrieu-Diebolt, lawyer for one of the victims, told journalists outside the courtroom shortly after the verdict announcement.
The case was initially to be heard at the end of 2024, but it was postponed several times, first due to planning problems, then for medical reasons cited by the defense.
The trial Opened in March 2025 And lasted four days.
In March, the prosecutors asked for the suspended prison sentence and a fine of up to € 200,000 (around $ 221,000).
