A French court has upheld a decision to send Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco footballer Achraf Hakimi to trial on a rape charge. The Court of Cassation, the highest court in the French judicial system, confirmed the decision on Wednesday. Hakimi, 27, has been accused of raping a woman in 2023, an allegation he has repeatedly denied. The case has been ongoing for three and a half years, with Hakimi appealing the initial decision to the Court of Cassation.
The alleged incident occurred in February 2023, when a 24-year-old woman reported to police in the Val-de-Marne region that Hakimi had raped her. She claimed to have met Hakimi on Instagram and went to his home, where she said he kissed her, touched her without her consent, and then raped her. The woman stated that she managed to push him away and text a friend, who came to pick her up. Hakimi's lawyer, Fanny Colin, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Hakimi had appealed the initial decision to the Versailles appeals court, which upheld the decision in June during the World Cup. The Court of Cassation's confirmation on Wednesday marks the final legal recourse for Hakimi. The plaintiff's lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, expressed determination to obtain justice for her client, saying she will fight to the very end. The case will now proceed to trial in the Hauts-de-Seine department.
The plaintiff's account of the incident has been consistent throughout the investigation. She claimed to have met Hakimi on Instagram in January 2023 and went to his home in a taxi ordered by the player. The police source confirmed that the woman reported the incident to police in February 2023. Hakimi has maintained his innocence, denying the allegations of rape.
The case has garnered significant attention due to Hakimi's high-profile status as a footballer. Paris Saint-Germain and the Moroccan football federation have not commented on the matter. The trial is expected to draw widespread media attention, with many fans and supporters of Hakimi following the case closely.
The confirmation of the trial by the Court of Cassation brings an end to Hakimi's legal appeals. The plaintiff and her lawyer have expressed relief and determination to see justice served. The trial will now focus on establishing the facts of the case and determining Hakimi's culpability.
The case highlights the complexities and challenges of prosecuting high-profile individuals accused of serious crimes. The trial of Achraf Hakimi will be closely watched by fans, supporters, and the wider public. The outcome will have significant implications for Hakimi's career and reputation, as well as for the broader conversation around consent and accountability in sports.
Key points
- A French court has upheld a decision to send Paris Saint-Germain footballer Achraf Hakimi to trial on a rape charge.
- The alleged incident occurred in February 2023, when a 24-year-old woman reported to police that Hakimi had raped her.
- The trial will now proceed in the Hauts-de-Seine department, with the plaintiff's lawyer expressing determination to obtain justice.
