Actor Gerard Depardieu. Photo: ReutersFrench actor Gerard Depardieu was placed under formal investigation on charges of rape and sexual violence in December last year, a judicial source told Reuters on Tuesday. In 2019, French prosecutors said they had dropped an investigation into rape allegations against Depardieu, citing insufficient evidence. He won a Golden Globe best actor award for that role. In 2013, Russian President Vladimir Putin granted Depardieu Russian citizenship.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 23, 2021 19:41 UTC