ACCUSATIONS Actor is accused of raping two former girlfriends and assaulting a third
Actor Sofiane Bennacer in Angoulême, August 27, 2022. — Laurent VU/SIPA
He wants to “continue to compete for the Caesars.” The actor Sofiane Bennacer, indicted in October at Mulhouse for the alleged rapes of two former companions and violence against a third, claimed this Wednesday his innocence. Breaking new ground in Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi“s latest film, “Les Amandiers”, the 25-year-old actor is up for Best Male Newcomer nominations.
“I am innocent (…) Does the presumption of innocence still exist? Or are we in a state of lawlessness, a state where the mere baseless accusation can destroy a life?”s questioned Sofiane Bennacer in a long message on Instagram. The actor had already disputed the facts during his indictment.
“Bogus testimonies”
“Maybe I will be boycotted by the cinema. Anyway, I have been humiliated to the depths of my soul (…) I will be free in a few months because I have not done anything (…) If there was the slightest proof against me, not just bogus testimonies, real proof, I would already be there. in prison,” he added.
According to the prosecutor of Mulhouse, “there were two indictments for acts of rape” on two ex-girlfriends as well as a third “indicted for spousal abuse”. As part of a fourth complaint filed by another ex-girlfriend who denounced acts of rape, Sofiane Bennacer was arrested. placed under the more favorable status of assisted witness.
Resignation from TNS
Théâtre national de Strasbourg (TNS), where he had been admitted, had seized the Ministry of Culture of the facts “of sexist, sexual violence and harassment”, according to Le Parisien. The Ministry of Culture then made a report to justice, indicated the prosecutor, without specifying the date.
The actor has been downgraded placed in custody under judicial supervision, said the prosecutor, meaning that his prosecutor’s office had initially requested his provisional placement. Benjamin Morel, administrator of the TNS indicated; Wednesday that “it’s Sofiane Bennacer who made the decision to resign on February 19, 2021, after the allegations were allegedly brought to light. trained to meeting her”.