Footballer Achraf Hakimi to stand trial for rape in France
Moroccan PSG defender Achraf Hakimi will stand trial for rape in Paris after the Versailles court of appeal rejected his appeal against the referral decision.
Footballer Achraf Hakimi to stand trial for rape in France
Moroccan footballer Achraf Hakimi, 27, will soon be brought before a French court on a rape charge. The Versailles court of appeal has rejected his appeal against the referral decision to a trial court, according to Spanish newspaper Marca.
The alleged incident dates back more than three years ago, when a woman accused the Moroccan international of raping her in the French capital. The Paris Saint-Germain defender has consistently denied the allegations.
In February last year, a court had decided to move the case to the trial phase. Hakimi had then appealed this decision, but the higher court has now upheld the referral. The legal case will therefore proceed before a court of assise.
No hearing date has been set at this stage.
Currently, the footballer is part of the Moroccan squad participating in the Club World Cup in the United States. He holds a key position within the team and was selected to start in the opening match against France.
On social media platform X, the player responded to the verdict on Friday morning. He stated that justice had told him that without his fame, this case would never have existed. He explained that he had chosen silence for several years, believing that dignity, patience and trust in the judicial system would allow for a fair decision. He added that he was looking forward to this trial and was pleased finally to be able to speak out.
Source: Göteborgs-Posten