Gérard Depardieu writes open letter: Star denies rape allegations

Gérard Depardieu (74) has been confronted with serious allegations for several years. In 2018 it became known that the actor was being investigated on suspicion of “rape and sexual assault”. Since then, many other alleged victims have come forward. The star himself, however, remained silent on the matter – until now. In a public letter published as an op-ed, Depardieu vehemently proclaims his innocence.

The title of the post reads: “I finally want to tell you my truth.” He initially thought that he didn’t care what “I’ve been reading about myself for several months.” But now he could no longer remain silent on the matter. “I have never abused a woman,” writes the 74-year-old. The idea of ​​”hurting a woman would be like kicking my own mother in the stomach.”

He is “neither a rapist nor a predator.” Instead, the sexual intercourse with the woman who accused him of this happened consensually: “There was never any coercion, violence or protest between us.” In addition, according to Depardieu, she came to him “a second time” afterwards.

Even more women spoke up

The allegations were reported for the first time in 2018. Accordingly, the Paris criminal police began investigating after an actress and dancer came forward with the allegations in question. Depardieu’s lawyer Hervé Temime then stated that Depardieu denied any allegations.

However, these have increased over the past few years. In the middle of this year, 13 other women accused the actor of sexual assaults that allegedly occurred over the past 20 years. These are said to have ranged from obscene comments to unwanted touching.