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Actor Gérard Depardieu will not appear in a French court for his trial on sexual assault charges

ABC News
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French actor Gérard Depardieu won't appear in court for his trial on sexual assault charges, his lawyer says.

The 75-year-old actor is accused of using “violence, coercion, surprise or threat” in the alleged assault, prosecutors say.

He is set to go on trial Monday over the alleged sexual assaults of two women on a film set in 2021 .

The trial was scheduled as France continues to reckon with sexual violence.

Judith Godrèche called on France ’s film industry to face the truth’ on sexual violence and physical abuse during the Cesar Awards ceremony.

Protests spread nationwide last weekend in support of the victim, a mother and grandmother in her early 70s .

Feminist groups have called for a protest outside the courthouse ahead of Monday 's hearings.