A French appeals court has ruled that Moroccan international and Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi will stand trial over a rape allegation dating back to 2023, paving the way for criminal proceedings after a lengthy investigation.
Key highlight:
- A French appeals court has ruled that Achraf Hakimi will stand trial over a rape allegation stemming from an incident reported in 2023.
- Hakimi has consistently denied the accusation, stating that he welcomes the trial as an opportunity to present his version of events.
- The case originates from allegations made by a 24-year-old woman who claims she was sexually assaulted after visiting Hakimi’s residence in February 2023.
- Lawyers for both sides reacted differently to the ruling, with Hakimi’s legal team emphasizing that the decision is not a finding of guilt, while the complainant’s lawyer described it as a significant step forward.
- No trial date has been set, and under French law, Hakimi remains presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court.
The decision, issued by the Versailles Court of Appeal on Friday, follows an investigation into allegations made by a 24-year-old woman from the Val-de-Marne area, southeast of Paris.
Hakimi, who also captains the Morocco national football team, has consistently denied the accusation and maintains that he is innocent.
Reacting to the ruling, the 27-year-old footballer said he had been awaiting the opportunity to publicly present his version of events.
“I have been waiting for this trial since day one. At last, I’ll be able to speak,” Hakimi wrote on social media.
No date has yet been announced for the trial, which is expected to take place before a criminal court in the Hauts-de-Seine department.
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Hakimi’s lawyer, Fanny Colin, said the court’s decision should not be interpreted as a finding of guilt, stressing that her client remains confident that the judicial process will clear his name.
Meanwhile, the complainant’s lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, welcomed the ruling, describing it as a significant step forward for her client.
According to investigators, the woman alleged that she first met Hakimi through Instagram in January 2023 before visiting his residence in a taxi reportedly arranged by the footballer.
She claimed that Hakimi kissed and touched her without her consent before sexually assaulting her. According to her account, she was able to push him away and subsequently contacted a friend who came to pick her up.
In an interview published by French investigative outlet Mediapart, the complainant, who spoke under the pseudonym “Jeanne,” said she wanted the case to proceed to trial so that her account could be heard in court.
“I want to defend myself. I want to be heard,” she said, adding, “I want people to believe me.”
Hakimi remains available for selection by Morocco at the ongoing FIFA World Cup, while the legal proceedings continue in France.
The court’s ruling means the case will now proceed to trial, where evidence from both parties will be examined before any determination is made. Under French law, Hakimi is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court.
