French Prosecutors Call for 18-Month Suspended Sentence for Gérard Depardieu in Assault Case

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In the ongoing trial for sexual assault allegations, the Paris prosecutors have proposed a sentence of 18 months in prison, suspended, along with a fine of €20,000 ($21,500) for actor Gérard Depardieu.

Two individuals, both women, have claimed that a well-known French actor (who portrayed Cyrano de Bergerac and appeared in Green Card) allegedly assaulted them while they were working on the set of The Green Shutters film production in 2021.

The call for sentencing, made on Thursday, follows a heated four-day trial in Paris. Over twenty accusations of inappropriate sexual conduct have been brought up against Depardieu, yet this is the first time he’s faced charges in a court of law.

It’s possible that Depardieu may return for a court appearance in another matter, concerning rape accusations from actress Charlotte Arnould, which reportedly occurred in 2018.

The case of “The Green Shutters” revolves around accusations from a set dresser (referred to as Amélie in court) and a third assistant director (known as Sarah), who allege that actor Depardieu inappropriately touched them and made lewd comments. Amélie claims the actor forcefully grabbed her, attempting to grope her, while making suggestive remarks such as, “I’m going to take my ‘big parasol’ and ‘shove it up your pussy.” Sarah recounts two instances where Depardieu allegedly touched her inappropriately on her buttocks and breasts on set.

Depardieu disputed both stories, stating that at his age (being 76), he’s not interested in such behavior, and his actions were misunderstood. In one case, the actor asserted, he had grasped Amélie’s hips to prevent himself from falling.

Depardieu consistently refutes all claims of sexual misconduct. In court, his attorney, Jeremie Assous, criticized the police investigation into these allegations as flawed and accused the prosecution of using “Stalinist tactics.

The Depardieu trial is happening amidst a series of prominent sexual misconduct cases in France recently, such as the Gisèle Pelicot mass rape case and the legal victory of Adèle Haenel against director Christophe Ruggia, who was convicted for sexually assaulting and harassing her over a span of three years, beginning when she was only 12.

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2025-03-27 17:24