(25 Mar 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Paris – 24 March 2025
++QUALITY AS INCOMING++
1. French actor Gerard Depardieu leaving courtroom at end of first day of trial
2. SOUNDBITE (French) Jeremie Assous, Gerard Depardieu’s lawyer:
“It was an extremely interesting and important day, because we were able to have an adversarial debate and put forward all our demands and demonstrate that we were seeking the truth, and that there were a very large number of witnesses who had not been heard, who are vital, who can really give a great deal of information and work towards establishing the truth.”
++WHITE FLASH++
3. SOUNDBITE (French) Jeremie Assous, Gerard Depardieu’s lawyer:
“Any objective, indisputable and impartial element is systematically refused by the plaintiffs. There’s only one reason for this: They fear the truth. Because once again, the truth is on our side. Gérard Depardieu never assaulted these plaintiffs.”
4. SOUNDBITE (French) Carine Durrieu Diebolt, plaintiffs’ lawyer:
“He could have asked for this during the hearing in October. Why didn’t he if these are not delaying tactics? He’s doing it now. He could have done it long before and he didn’t. On the other hand, that’s what I explained. We have a good deal of evidence in this case, and normally, if it was about an ordinary defendant, that evidence would suffice. There are no difficulties on the merits of the case."
5. Depardieu leaving courtroom
STORYLINE:
French actor Gérard Depardieu went on trial Monday in Paris on charges of sexually assaulting two women on a movie set, in a case seen as a potential watershed for the #MeToo movement in France.
The actor faces up to five years in prison and a fine of 75,000 euros ($81,000) if convicted.
Depardieu denies any wrongdoing.
Depardieu has been a darling of French cinemagoers for decades and was Oscar-nominated in 1991 for his performance as swordsman and poet Cyrano de Bergerac.
But his alleged boorish behaviour off-screen has also long made headlines.
He has been accused publicly or in formal complaints of misconduct by more than 20 women, but so far only the sexual assault case has proceeded to court.
Some others were dropped because of a lack of evidence or the statute of limitations.
Beyond giving his name, Depardieu didn’t testify Monday.
Instead, his lawyer took up much of the time, raising what he described as legal issues and seeking to cast doubt on witness testimony and the police investigation.
The attorney alleged, without providing evidence, that police acted under instructions from magistrates who led the investigation to “make Depardieu fall.”
Depardieu listened intently, sometimes nodding.
One of the plaintiffs burst into tears when her lawyer read a message she wrote about the alleged sexual assault.
Sitting by her side, the other accuser put a hand on her shoulder in a gesture of empathy.
The plaintiffs’ lawyers said they would lay out their evidence later.
The trial is expected to last at least two days, but could be extended beyond Tuesday, if the chief judge wants more time.
The trial was initially scheduled for October, but then postponed because of Depardieu’s health. A verdict is expected at a later date.
AP video shot by Yesica Brumec
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