Nicolas Bedos, a popular French actor and director, has been accused of sexual assault and spent 24 hours in police custody in Paris from Wednesday to Thursday. The allegations are related to events that took place in a French night club on the night of June 1 to 2. According to a French news agency, a 25-year-old woman lodged a complaint against Bedos, stating that he approached her while she was having a drink in the club and “held his hand… at the level of her panties”. The woman claims to have repelled his advances and that a security guard had escorted the actor from the club.
The Actor’s Response
Bedos has denied the allegations and told investigators that if the gesture happened, it was “accidental”. His lawyer, Julia Minkowski, has not commented on the allegations to the press.
The Consequences
The public prosecutor’s office has informed Bedos that he will face a court hearing in early 2024 on charges related to sexual assault while under the influence of alcohol. If found guilty, he faces a maximum five-year prison term and a fine of $87,000 (75,000 euros).
About Nicolas Bedos
Bedos is a prominent figure in France, known for his work in acting, screenwriting, and directing. He has directed films such as La Belle Epoque, OSS 177: From Africa With Love, and Mascarade, all of which played Out of Competition at Cannes. He recently finished directing the Prime Video show Alphonse, which stars Jean Dujardin and is based on an original idea by the Academy Award-winning The Artist star and Bedos. Amazon US has declined to comment on the situation.