Accused of raping a young woman in February 2023, Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain will stand trial for rape. This information was confirmed on Tuesday by his lawyer to AFP.
On his X account, the player reacted by stating he is waiting “calmly for this trial that will allow the truth to come out publicly,” while denouncing an accusation he considers unfounded. “Today, an accusation of rape is enough to justify a trial even though I contest it and everything shows it is false,” he added.
The case dates back to February 2023, when the victim, according to her statements, was allegedly subjected to non-consensual touching followed by rape at Achraf Hakimi’s home. The young woman claims to have met him via Instagram. After an investigation, the Nanterre prosecutor’s office requested on August 1 that the player be referred to the departmental criminal court of Hauts-de-Seine. The decision to hold a trial, now confirmed by the investigating judge, marks an important step in this highly publicized case.
Achraf Hakimi firmly contests these accusations. His lawyer, Fanny Colin, told RMC Sport that the complainant has “obstructed all investigations,” refusing medical examinations, DNA tests, and access to her phone. She also noted that two successive psychological assessments highlighted “a lack of clarity regarding the facts” and the absence of post-traumatic symptoms. According to the defense, some exchanges between the complainant and her friends even suggest a plan to “strip” the player, a point the lawyer mentions in preparing her defense strategy.
On the other hand, the civil party, represented by Rachel-Flore Pardo, maintains its version and refutes any attempt at blackmail. “The investigation and the judicial inquiry have gathered all the necessary elements to characterize the crime of rape suffered by my client,” she insisted, believing that the player’s statements aim to create a “counterfire.”
