Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi will stand trial on rape charges following a complaint filed in February 2023, his lawyer and the Nanterre public prosecutor’s office confirmed Tuesday.
The decision follows the judge’s acceptance of the prosecutor’s indictment in August, according to reports. Hakimi, 27, vehemently denies the allegations, stating on his X account that “Today, a rape accusation is enough to justify a trial, even though I have disputed it and everything demonstrates that it is false. It is as unfair to the innocent as it is to genuine victims.” He added that he awaits the trial “calmly” and hopes it will allow “the truth to come out publicly.”
The accusation stems from an incident reported in February 2023, when a 24-year-old woman alleged she was raped at Hakimi’s home in Boulogne-Billancourt, a suburb of Paris. At the time, she made a statement to police but did not file a formal complaint, according to a police source cited in reports. The accuser alleged that Hakimi kissed and touched her without consent before the alleged assault.
Hakimi’s lawyer, Fanny Colin, criticized the decision to proceed with the trial, stating that it was based solely on the woman’s testimony despite what she described as obstacles to the investigation. Colin asserted that the accuser had refused medical examinations, DNA testing, and access to her mobile phone for analysis, as well as withholding the name of a key witness. The defense team also claims that two psychological evaluations of the accuser “revealed a lack of lucidity regarding the facts she claims to report.” Colin further alleged that the accuser and a friend had discussed plans to “pluck” Hakimi financially, suggesting a potential attempt to extort him.
The accuser’s lawyer responded to these claims, stating that “nothing in this file suggests an attempt at extortion.” She also cautioned against any campaigns to discredit the accuser, stating, “We will not tolerate any campaign of defamation or destabilization, as unfortunately continues to happen all too often with women who have the courage to report the rapes of which they are victims.”
