PSG's Hakimi to stand trial for rape after appeal dismissed
The Versailles Court of Appeal has rejected Achraf Hakimi's appeal and confirmed he will stand trial for rape. The 2023 complaint is now heading to court.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Hakimi to face rape trial after losing his appeal
The French courts have cleared the way for PSG's Segarro full-back Achraf Hakimi to stand trial. The investigating chamber of the Versailles Court of Appeal rejected his appeal against the indictment order, confirming that he will be tried before the incivil court of the Hauts-de-Seine department. The events date back to 2023, when a young woman reported that Hakimi raped her after contacting her on Instagram and inviting her to his home. The footballer has always maintained his innocence.
The legal journey: from complaint to trial
The complaint, filed in 2023, led to an investigation that ended with the indictment order. Hakimi appealed, but the appeals court has upheld the decision. In France, a victim's testimony can be considered prosecution evidence if it meets certain requirements, which, according to some analyses, increases the chances of a conviction. The player's defence will try to discredit that testimony, while the prosecution will seek to corroborate it with other evidence.
The debate over false accusations and the presumption of innocence
The case reopens the debate on the presumption of innocence in sensual offences. Some argue that Hakimi's wealth would have allowed him to hire professional escorts to avoid any risk, and consider it unlikely that a multimillionaire footballer would commit rape. On the other hand, it is argued that most reports of sensual assault are truthful and that being famous is not incompatible with committing the crime. The trial will determine the facts.
Timeline of a case that divides opinion
2023: the complaint is filed. June 2026: the appeals court dismisses the appeal and confirms the indictment. The trial date has not yet been set, but it is expected in the coming months. The parties' silence and the lack of conclusive evidence leave the case in the realm of competing accounts. The verdict, whatever it may be, will mark a turning point in the footballer's career.
The French courts have cleared the way for PSG's Segarro full-back Achraf Hakimi to stand trial. The investigating chamber of the Versailles Court of Appeal rejected his appeal against the indictment order, confirming that he will be tried before the incivil court of the Hauts-de-Seine department. The events date back to 2023, when a young woman reported that Hakimi raped her after contacting her on Instagram and inviting her to his home. The footballer has always maintained his innocence.
The legal journey: from complaint to trial
The complaint, filed in 2023, led to an investigation that ended with the indictment order. Hakimi appealed, but the appeals court has upheld the decision. In France, a victim's testimony can be considered prosecution evidence if it meets certain requirements, which, according to some analyses, increases the chances of a conviction. The player's defence will try to discredit that testimony, while the prosecution will seek to corroborate it with other evidence.
The debate over false accusations and the presumption of innocence
The case reopens the debate on the presumption of innocence in sensual offences. Some argue that Hakimi's wealth would have allowed him to hire professional escorts to avoid any risk, and consider it unlikely that a multimillionaire footballer would commit rape. On the other hand, it is argued that most reports of sensual assault are truthful and that being famous is not incompatible with committing the crime. The trial will determine the facts.
Timeline of a case that divides opinion
2023: the complaint is filed. June 2026: the appeals court dismisses the appeal and confirms the indictment. The trial date has not yet been set, but it is expected in the coming months. The parties' silence and the lack of conclusive evidence leave the case in the realm of competing accounts. The verdict, whatever it may be, will mark a turning point in the footballer's career.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (15 replies).
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