Gérard Depardieu skipping hearing on alleged sex assaults of 2 women, lawyer says, citing health reasons

Paris — French actor Gérard Depardieu, who is facing trial for the alleged sexual assaults of two women on a film set in 2021, won't appear before a criminal court in Paris on Monday due to health reasons, his lawyer said.

Depardieu, who previously has denied any wrongdoing, is accused of using "violence, coercion, surprise or threat" in the alleged assault, which prosecutors said took place on the set of "Les Volets verts" ("The Green Shutters").

Lawyer Jérémie Assous said doctors say the actor's health doesn't enable him to appear for the opening of the trial on Monday.