Grard Depardieu will appear in court in Paris on sexual assault charges

French actor Gérard Depardieu is expected to appear before a criminal court in Paris on Monday over the alleged sexual assaults of two women on a film set in 2021.Depardieu, who previously has denied any wrongdoing, is accused of using “violence, coercion, surprise or threat” in the alleged assault, which prosecutors said took place on the set of “Les Volets verts” (”The Green Shutters.”)Prosecutors say that in both cases, victims reported that the 75-year-old actor trapped them between his legs and groped their buttocks, genitals, chest and breasts over their clothes.The trial comes as France continues to reckon with sexual violence in the wake of the #MeToo movement that struggled to find traction especially in the cinema industry.One of the victims has been identified as a 53-year-old production designer.The Associated Press doesn’t generally identify victims of sexual assault without their consent.

Her lawyer did not respond to an AP’s email on that matter.According to Paris prosecutors, the woman told investigators that she’d first heard sexual remarks from Depardieu and then one day, as she walked past him, he had “grabbed her, attracted her towards him, blocked her with his legs, and groped her waist, hips and chest, accompanying her gestures with obscene remarks.”Three people witnessed it, prosecutors said, confirming that the woman made an attempt to break off Depardieu’s grip and that she seemed “shocked.” A psychiatrist examination granted her a seven-day leave.After the incident, it was arranged for Depardieu to apologize.But in a TV interview aired Saturday, she said the actor was furious and blamed her for causing trouble.

Prosecutors said witnesses confirmed that what Depardieu had said did not constitute an apology.In the interview with French online news site Mediapart, the production designer — who spoke on camera but only gave her first name — said the alleged assault had taken a toll on her personal and profe...