French actor Gerard Depardieu was found guilty in a case of sexual harassment of two women that occurred during filming in 2021. The decision was made by a court in Paris on Tuesday, May 13. Depardieu was sentenced to 18 months of probation, informs DW.
In addition, the court decided to enter the actor in the register of persons convicted of sexual crimes, and also obliged him to undergo psychological therapy. The verdict was announced in the absence of the 76-year-old actor. Thus, the court satisfied the demands of the prosecutor’s office, which in March insisted on a suspended sentence, a fine of 20,000 euros, compensation to the victims and a two-year ban on participation in elections.
After the verdict, Gerard Depardieu’s lawyer announced his intention to file an appeal. The actor himself rejects all the accusations.
We remind you that the hearing in the case began on March 24. Before the start of the trial, the lawyer Jeremy Assou said that the accusations are baseless and also informed about Depardieu’s complex health condition – in particular, he underwent heart bypass surgery and diabetes. The medical expert confirmed the possibility of the actor’s participation in court sessions, but recommended limiting their duration to six hours with breaks every 15 minutes and a lunch break.
The actor’s behavior during the filming of the film “Green Shutters” in 2021 became the basis for the lawsuit. Two women — a 54-year-old decorator and a 34-year-old assistant director — accused him of making obscene comments and touching them in an inappropriate way: on the breasts, buttocks and private parts of the body. The lawsuit alleging sexual assault, harassment and sexist behavior was filed in early 2024.
Gerard Depardieu, who has more than 200 film roles, is not the first to appear in such accusations. In April 2023, 13 women — including actresses, extras, and make-up artists — reported indecent behavior on his part. However, this case was the first to go to trial.
