French prosecutors have called for Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi to stand trial over allegations of rape, following a 2023 accusation that the Moroccan international continues to deny.
The Nanterre prosecutor’s office confirmed on Friday that it had formally requested the investigating judge to refer Hakimi’s case to a criminal court. “It is now up to the investigating magistrate to make a decision within the framework of his order,” the office told AFP.
Hakimi, 26, was charged in March 2023 with the alleged rape of a 24-year-old woman who claims he assaulted her at his home in Boulogne-Billancourt, a suburb of Paris, on February 25, while his wife and children were away. According to her statement, the two had connected via Instagram in January 2023, and Hakimi arranged for her taxi to his residence.
She told police that upon arrival, Hakimi made unwanted sexual advances and raped her before she managed to contact a friend to pick her up. Although she initially declined to file a formal complaint, prosecutors moved forward with charges based on her testimony.
Hakimi’s lawyer, Fanny Colin, criticized the prosecution’s decision as “incomprehensible and senseless in light of the case’s elements,” asserting that her client was “the target of an attempted extortion.” She confirmed that Hakimi would appeal if the trial proceeds.
However, the woman’s lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, rejected those claims, saying, “Nothing in this case suggests an attempted extortion.” She added that her client welcomed the latest development “with immense relief” and warned against any attempts to smear or intimidate women who report sexual assault.
Hakimi, who played a pivotal role in PSG’s historic Champions League victory in May and was instrumental in Morocco’s 2022 World Cup semi-final run, has not publicly commented on the latest legal move.
Born in Madrid to Moroccan immigrant parents, Hakimi rose through Real Madrid’s youth system before playing for Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan. He joined PSG in 2021 and has since become one of the club’s key players.
Written By Rodney Mbua
