French Filmmaker Faces Sentencing Request Over Sexual Assault Allegations

Prosecutors seek a five-year sentence, including two years under house arrest, for Christophe Ruggia following accusations by actress Adèle Haenel of sexual abuse during her adolescence.

Adèle Haenel, 35, accuses director Christophe Ruggia of sexually assaulting her between the ages of 12 and 14, during and after the filming of her debut movie, 'The Devils.'
Prosecutors have requested a five-year sentence, with two years under house arrest via electronic monitoring and three years suspended, along with a ban on working with minors.
Haenel detailed years of grooming and abuse, emphasizing the lack of protection she received as a child and the lasting impact on her life and career.
Ruggia denies the allegations, calling them false, though testimonies from his former partner and sister suggest he admitted to inappropriate behavior in the past.
The court is set to deliver its verdict on February 3, 2025, in a trial that has reignited scrutiny of abuse and accountability within the French film industry.