Gérard Depardieu will skip the opening of his appeal trial on Monday for sexual assaults alleged during the filming of Les Volets Verts, according to lematin.ch.
The French actor plans to withdraw from the appellate proceedings and accept the sentence handed down in May 2025, fr.news.yahoo.com reported, citing a source close to the dossier who confirmed an earlier report by France Inter.
That initial judgment by the Paris judicial tribunal carried an 18-month suspended prison sentence alongside a complementary penalty for secondary victimization stemming from his defense team’s conduct, lematin.ch reported. If finalized, the withdrawal makes that May 2025 conviction permanent.
His request is scheduled for examination at the opening of the hearing on Monday, though the actor will not be present, a source close to the dossier told fr.news.yahoo.com.
Legal Proceedings and Previous Rulings
The upcoming court date arrives amid a heavy judicial calendar for the star of Cyrano de Bergerac and Le Dernier Métro. Depardieu faces a separate November 26 ruling after appealing his referral to a criminal court for alleged rapes and sexual assaults involving actress Charlotte Arnould, a case stemming from a 2020 indictment reported by lematin.ch.
In May 2025, the presiding judge in the first-instance trial criticized the defense for excessive hostility toward the two civil parties. Those plaintiffs included Amélie, a set decorator, and Sarah, an assistant director, both working on Jean Becker’s film, according to lematin.ch.
The judges noted the consistency of the plaintiffs’ accounts, contrasting them with the actor’s statements during police custody and the hearing. Throughout the proceedings, Depardieu denied the accusations, stating he rejected comparison to a groper in the subway.
⚖️💥 Gérard Depardieu : coup de théâtre dans l'affaire, l'acteur renonce à son appel après sa condamnation ! Nouveau rebondissement judiciaire pour Gérard Depardieu. Condamné en première instance à 18 mois de prison avec sursis pour des agressions sexuelles commises sur deux… pic.twitter.com/CQ09jC5NOc
“I don’t know this kind of practice,” Depardieu said during the trial, according to lematin.ch.
Additional Allegations and Prior Withdrawals
Thursday brought fresh scrutiny when Mediapart and Le Média published footage from the 2013 film Turf, showing a female extra attempting to push the actor away during a take, as reported by lematin.ch.
Neither Depardieu’s attorneys nor the general prosecutor’s office responded to requests for comment regarding the latest appeal withdrawal.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Gérard Depardieu originally sentenced?
The Paris judicial tribunal sentenced the actor to 18 months in prison with a suspended sentence in May 2025, as reported by lematin.ch and fr.news.yahoo.com.
What film is the subject of Monday’s appeal?
The appeal concerns sexual assault allegations committed during the production of Les Volets Verts, according to fr.news.yahoo.com.
When is the next scheduled court decision in his other cases?
The actor will receive a ruling on November 26 regarding his appeal of a criminal court referral for allegations involving Charlotte Arnould, lematin.ch reported.
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