Gérard Depardieu to face trial over rape and sexual assault allegations

After decades of controversy, the French actor will finally stand trial this week in a case that has appalled the nation and sparked concern about domestic violence. The trial begins on Wednesday over allegations that he sexually assaulted a young actress in 1990 when she was just 17 years old. The case was reopened in 2021 after the alleged victim, who is now 39, filed a legal complaint against him., Depardieu, who was married at the time of the alleged incident, has always denied the allegations, but the case has nonetheless drawn attention to the plight of underage victims of sexual violence, inspiring new discussions on this societal issue. This Wednesday, the court will hear testimony from the complainant, who was a minor at the time of the alleged incident and will be the first time that Depardieu will face questioning over the events. The entire case has generated intense media interest in France and abroad and is expected to conclude this year.