Canadian director and producer Paul Haggis has been arrested in southern Italy on suspicion of “aggravated” sexual assault against a young foreign woman, Italian news agencies said on Sunday, citing the prosecution.
The director and screenwriter is seriously suspected of crimes of sexual assault and aggravated bodily harm, crimes committed against a young foreign womanANSA and AGI agencies said, citing the Brindisi prosecutor.
The prosecutor’s office did not provide further information on Sunday.
Haggis, 69, who wrote and directed the film Crash (Collision) which won him several Oscars, was to star at the Allora Fest film festival which will begin on Tuesday in the town of Ostuni in the province of Brindisi.
The young woman had been with Haggis before the festival, according to the prosecution.
The suspect allegedly forced the young woman, whom he met some time before, to have sexsaid the prosecutor.
After a meeting, the young woman had to seek medical treatmentaccording to him.
One of Haggis’ lawyers, solicited by telephone and email, did not react on Sunday.
France Media Agency
France Media Agency
Source: Radio-Canada
