Director Detained in France's Shocking #MeToo Accusation

Adele Haenel accused Christophe Ruggia last year, now he's in custody
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jan 14, 2020 11:20 AM CST
Director Detained in France's Shocking #MeToo Accusation
In this May 18, 2016, photo, actress Adele Haenel poses for photographers during a photo call for the film "La Fille Inconnue" ("The Unknown Girl") at the Cannes Film Festival in France.   (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau, File)

A French filmmaker is in custody while authorities investigate accusations that he sexually abused an actress when she was between 12 and 15 years old, the AP reports. Director Christophe Ruggia was detained for questioning Tuesday based on allegations last year by actress Adele Haenel, according to the Paris prosecutor's office. Ruggia denies the allegations. He's facing potential charges of sexual harassment and sexual assault of a minor by a person of authority, according to the prosecutor's office.

Haenel says the director repeatedly touched her inappropriately during and after filming of the movie Les Diables in the early 2000s. She told French media she didn't file a legal complaint because she didn't trust the French legal system. The investigation is unusual in France, which hasn't seen a wave of accusations of sexual misconduct by men in positions of power like the #MeToo movement that shook Hollywood and US politics. (More on Haenel's allegations here.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X