French director Christophe Ruggia faces trial for allegedly abusing an underage actor – News

French actress Adele Haenel (photo by AFP)

A French judge has ordered film director Christophe Ruggia to stand trial on charges of sexually assaulting an actress when she was a minor, sources familiar with the case said on Saturday.

The trial at the Paris Criminal Court, scheduled for December 9 and 10, follows allegations that Ruggia sexually abused actress Adele Haenel in the early 2000s, when he was in his mid- to late 30s and she was under 15.

In a court document seen by AFP, the investigating judge said Haenel’s accusations were “precise and coherent” and that she had suffered psychological consequences as a result of the attacks.

The situation was made more difficult by the considerable age difference between Ruggia and Haenel as well as the “psychological control” that the director increasingly exerted over the young actor due to his position of authority.

Ruggia has denied all allegations against him, although the director admits he made “mistakes.” His lawyers declined to comment on Saturday.

AFP could not reach Haenel’s lawyers.

Ruggia, now 59, was first charged with these allegations in 2020.