Gerard Depardieu Faces Court Over Sexual Assault Allegations

French cinema icon Gerard Depardieu admitted to physical contact with a woman accusing him of sexual assault, denying it was criminal. On trial for the first time, he faces allegations from multiple women. Depardieu attributes his behavior to mood swings and exhaustion, amidst divided public opinion.

French movie star Gerard Depardieu admitted in court on Tuesday to grabbing a woman's hips but denies it constitutes sexual assault. He attributed any crude remarks to a bad mood.

Depardieu, aged 76, a fixture in French cinema, has faced numerous assault allegations. This marks the first time his case has reached the courtroom. The incident occurred with set decorator Amelie K., whom Depardieu claims he grabbed for balance due to fatigue during filming.

If convicted, Depardieu could receive up to five years in jail and a 75,000-euro fine. The trial, significant for its #MeToo implications in France, has deeply divided the French acting community.

(With inputs from agencies.)