PSG star Achraf Hakimi to stand trial for alleged sexual assault
The Moroccan defender denies the accusations, which date back to an incident at his home in February 2023, as the Paris court moves forward with the case.
Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi will stand trial for an alleged sexual assault, his lawyer confirmed to AFP. The charges relate to an incident that reportedly took place at his home in February 2023, following a complaint filed by a young woman with local authorities. According to the complaint, Hakimi allegedly engaged in nonconsensual touching before committing the sexual assault.
Hakimi asserts his innocence
After news of the indictment broke, Hakimi took to social media to defend himself. “Today, an accusation of rape is enough to trigger a trial, even when I deny it and all evidence shows it is false. This is unfair for both the innocent and genuine victims. I will calmly await this trial, which will allow the truth to be revealed publicly,” he wrote.
Prosecutors move forward with case
In July, the Nanterre prosecutor’s office requested Hakimi’s indictment after determining there was sufficient evidence to proceed to trial. The request was approved by a court in Hauts-de-Seine, which formally sent the world’s best African player to trial this Tuesday.
Since the investigation began, Hakimi has maintained his innocence. In a previous interview with the French program Cliqué, he said he had done nothing wrong and described the legal process as damaging to his dignity. Those statements, however, were not considered by the courts, which will now determine whether a sexual assault occurred at the defender’s home three years ago.
Details of the alleged incident
The alleged assault dates back to February 8, 2023. The complainant reportedly visited Hakimi’s home after exchanging messages with him on Instagram. French law classifies the act as rape, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, leading to a judicial investigation that has now resulted in the indictment.
In December 2023, Hakimi confronted the complainant in a judicial hearing, during which she reaffirmed her allegations. The defender denied the accusations throughout the process, claiming the case was part of a scheme to extract money from him. PSG publicly supported Hakimi, expressing full confidence in the judicial process, according to unofficial statements.
Victim’s lawyer insists assault occurred
The complainant’s lawyer strongly disputes Hakimi’s version of events, asserting that the sexual assault did occur. “The investigation and judicial proceedings have gathered all necessary elements to characterize the rape suffered by my client. Nothing in this file suggests even a minor attempt at blackmail. Mr. Hakimi is trying to create a distraction, which is common in sexual violence cases. But it does not hold up,” she said.
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