As many as 16 victims, including sexual assault of an actress… Minister of Culture: “Beginning shameful punishment for the country”
加 Quebec and Belgium stripped of honorary titles
French actor Gérard Depardieu (75, photo), who was indicted for various sex scandals, is also at risk of being stripped of his country’s highest decoration, the Legion of Honor.
According to Le Parisien on the 16th (local time), French Culture Minister Rima Abdul Malak said, “Depardieu’s rude and undignified attitude brought shame to France,” and that the Legion of Honor recognizes the attitudes and values of certain people and artists. It was an award given, but Depardieu was criticized for not acting in accordance with the award. He said he would soon begin disciplinary proceedings and decide whether to finally deprive him.
Depardieu was indicted in 2020 on charges of sexually assaulting a female actor in her 20s twice at his Paris home in August 2018. In addition, when she visited North Korea in 2018 at an invitation to an event commemorating the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the North Korean regime, she was criticized for not only sexually harassing a North Korean female interpreter, but also making inappropriate sexual remarks to a teenage North Korean girl who was riding with her. This followed one after another.
There are at least 16 people in the film industry who have been harmed by him. In particular, public opinion toward Depardieu is worsening as actress Emmanuel DeBebe, who first exposed his sexual harassment allegations, made an extreme choice on the 6th.
In the French-speaking world, his medals are being revoked one after another. On the 16th, Belgium stripped Depardieu of the honorary citizen title he had been awarded in 2013 while he was living in Belgium. On the 13th, the French-speaking Canadian province of Quebec also revoked the Medal of Honor awarded to Depardieu in 2002.
Depardieu’s lawyer said, “I will leave it to your disposal (the Legion of Honor medal).” However, Minister Malak’s remarks were countered by calling them “unacceptable interference”, saying they could affect the ongoing trial.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.