New sexual assault accusation emerges against actor Gérard Depardieu

French prosecutors have launched new proceedings against actor Gérard Depardieu in yet another case of alleged sexual assault.

The preliminary investigation was opened following a complaint from a 53-year-old set designer.

She accused Depardieu of sexually harassing and assaulting her during the shooting of the film "Les volets verts" ("The Green Shutters"), the Paris public prosecutor's office said on Tuesday.

This is the third such case against the 75-year-old actor.

Several women have accused the star, who has appeared in over 200 films, of sexual harassment or violence. Depardieu has been under investigation for allegations of rape since 2020.

Since mid-September, another complaint against him for sexual abuse is said to be ongoing. The incident is said to have taken place in 2007.

Depardieu denies the allegations. In a letter published in the newspaper Le Figaro at the beginning of October, he described himself as the victim of a "media lynching."

Depardieu was also harshly criticized for his behaviour in a documentary film about his trip to North Korea in 2018, which was broadcast at the beginning of December. In the film he repeatedly makes misogynistic and vulgar comments.