PSG Defender Achraf Hakimi Ordered to Stand Trial in Rape Case
Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi has been ordered to stand trial in a rape case, with lawyers confirming the development to the Associated Press on Tuesday. The decision follows preliminary charges filed against the player back in March 2023.
Legal Proceedings and Appeals
Hakimi's lawyer, Fanny Colin, revealed that she is planning to appeal the judge's decision, which came after recommendations from the Nanterre public prosecutor's office. Last August, the prosecutor's office called for the player to stand trial. Colin noted that a specific date for the trial has not been set at this stage.
In contrast, Rachel-Flore Pardo, who represents the plaintiff, told the AP that her client welcomed the order committing the case to trial "with relief." Pardo added that the decision "is fully consistent with the evidence in the file."
Hakimi's Denial and Public Statement
Hakimi, widely regarded as one of the best defenders in the world, has consistently denied any wrongdoing. He posted on X that he "calmly awaits" a trial that "will allow the truth to emerge publicly." On the eve of a crucial Champions League playoff, he stated, "Today, an accusation of rape is enough to justify a trial, even though I contest it and everything shows that it is false. This is as unjust for the innocent as it is for genuine victims."
Background of the Case
The case stems from March 2023, when a 24-year-old woman accused Hakimi of raping her at his home in a Paris suburb. In the French legal system, preliminary charges indicate that judges have strong reason to suspect a crime was committed but are allowing time for further investigation before deciding whether to send a case to trial.
Defense and Plaintiff Arguments
Colin argued that the trial order is based on an accusation that "rests solely on the word of a woman who obstructed all investigations, refused all medical examinations and DNA testing, refused access to her mobile phone, and refused to provide the name of a key witness." She also claimed that two successive psychological assessments of the plaintiff "revealed a lack of clarity regarding the facts she claims to denounce, as well as the absence of any post-traumatic symptoms."
In her statement, Pardo highlighted broader issues, saying that if the justice system has been exemplary in this case, "the broader handling of this affair serves as a reminder of one thing: There remain environments where the Me Too movement has yet to break the sound barrier, chief among them the world of men's professional football."
