Depardieu arrives at Paris court for trial on charges of sexual assault

The French actor Gérard Depardieu has appeared in court in France, on trial for sexually assaulting two women during a film shoot in 2021.

- Angelique Chrisafis

Depardieu, 76, dressed in a black suit and trainers with his grey hair swept back, arrived at Paris's criminal court amid a large police presence. Several female protesters had earlier gathered outside court, shouting: "Victims we believe you, rapists, we see you."

After confirming his date and place of birth, the actor told the panel of three judges that he was prepared to answer the court's questions. He is expected to testify today.

Depardieu - who has made more than 200 films and TV series and is one of France's most famous actors - is the highest-profile figure in the French film industry to face allegations of sexual assault since the #MeToo movement.

Depardieu is charged with the sexual assault of a 54-year-old set dresser and a 34-year-old assistant director during shooting of the feature film Les Volets Verts (The Green Shutters) in Paris in 2021. He faces up to five years in prison and a fine of €75,000 (£63,000) if convicted.