A French court has confirmed that Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco footballer Achraf Hakimi will stand trial on rape charges. The decision was upheld by the Court of Cassation, the highest court in the French judicial system for civil and criminal matters. Hakimi, 27, had appealed the initial decision to send him to trial before the criminal court in the Hauts-de-Seine department.
The alleged incident occurred in February 2023 when a 24-year-old woman reported that Hakimi had raped her. She claimed they met on Instagram and she went to his home, where he allegedly kissed her, touched her without her consent, and then raped her. Hakimi was charged with rape a few days later and has repeatedly denied the allegations. His lawyer, Fanny Colin, stated that the allegations have not been examined by the Court of Cassation and will be presented during the trial.
Hakimi's lawyer also stated that her client has fully cooperated with police and judicial authorities throughout the investigation and will continue to do so during the trial. Colin added that Hakimi has nothing to hide and is looking forward to presenting his defense. On the other hand, a lawyer for the plaintiff, Rachel-Flore Pardo, said the decision to send the case to trial reflects the strength and rigour of the court of appeal's reasoning.
The plaintiff's lawyer also stated that her client is determined to obtain justice and will fight to the very end. The woman was allegedly slandered and dragged through the mud by Hakimi's defense during the three-and-a-half-year legal battle. Pardo expressed her client's relief that the case will now proceed to trial.
The Court of Cassation's decision is Hakimi's final legal recourse. In June, an appeals court confirmed that Hakimi would stand trial in criminal court over the alleged rape. Hakimi had challenged the initial order and then appealed to the Court of Cassation after the Versailles appeals court upheld the decision.
The trial is expected to take place in the near future, although a date has not been set. Hakimi's team will present their defense, and the plaintiff will have the opportunity to present her case. The outcome of the trial will depend on the evidence presented and the court's evaluation of the facts.
The case has garnered significant attention due to Hakimi's high profile as a footballer for PSG and Morocco. The incident has also raised concerns about the treatment of women and the handling of rape allegations in the sports world. The trial is expected to draw significant media attention and public scrutiny.
Key points
- A French court has confirmed that Achraf Hakimi will stand trial on rape charges.
- The alleged incident occurred in February 2023, and Hakimi has repeatedly denied the allegations.
- The trial will take place in the near future, although a date has not been set.
