Accused of rape, producer and filmmaker Luc Besson placed under the status of assisted witness (Archives) -

AFP

The judge in charge of the investigation into the accusations of rape brought by the actress Sand Van Roy against the filmmaker and producer Luc Besson announced at the end of February her intention to close the investigations, we learned Wednesday from corroborating sources, confirming information from

Mediapart

.

In a letter dated February 25, of which AFP was aware, the investigating judge at the Paris court Marie-Claire Noiriel announced to the parties that they wanted to close the investigation, inviting them to let her know, as provided for in the law, if they had any comments to make.

"A confrontation would have been the minimum"

This decision augurs a dismissal order, Luc Besson not having been indicted but only placed under the less incriminating status of witness assisted on January 25.

The judge took over the case in September.

In her response to the magistrate, one of the lawyers of Belgian-Dutch actress Sand Van Roy, Me Francis Szpiner, said he was "more than surprised" that she did not try to hear the complainant before closing the case. 'investigation.

He considered that "a confrontation would have been the minimum that a civil party is entitled to expect from his judge".

" Miscarriage of justice "

The filmmaker, who disputes the accusations, and the actress had been confronted in December 2018 in the premises of the judicial police, during the preliminary investigation.

But they have never been since the investigation was entrusted to investigating judges.

"The fence does not mean it's over," responded Sand Van Roy, now 33, interviewed by AFP.

Me Jade Dousselin, another lawyer for the actress, criticized a "denial of justice" and indicated to prepare requests for hearing and confrontation.

Closed without follow-up

Sand Van Roy had filed a rape complaint on May 18, 2018 against the influential 60-year-old French producer and director, the day after a meeting with him at the Bristol, a Parisian palace.

Two months later, she had denounced other rapes and sexual assaults, committed according to her during two years of a "professional relationship" with Mr. Besson.

These complaints were dismissed in February 2019 by the Paris prosecutor's office, who felt they could not "characterize the offense denounced in all its constituent elements".

The actress then filed a complaint with the constitution of civil party which had led to the opening of a judicial investigation in October 2019 for "rapes".

Eight other women had subsequently accused the director (of

Subway

,

Le Grand Bleu

,

Nikita

 or

Le Cinquième Elément

) of inappropriate gestures, even of sexual assault, in testimonies collected by

Mediapart

, for largely prescribed facts.

Justice

Accused of rape, Luc Besson placed under the status of assisted witness

Justice

Unfair dismissal: Luc Besson fined 10,000 euros

  • Luc Besson

  • Sexual violence

  • Violence against women

  • Culture