Achraf Hakimi, defender of the Moroccan national team and player for Paris Saint-Germain, has found himself at the center of a high-profile legal case. A French investigating judge has decided to transfer the case regarding his rape accusation to a criminal court, based on a request from the Nanterre prosecutor's office.
The allegations concern an incident that, according to the investigation, occurred in February 2023 at the footballer's home in Boulogne-Billancourt, a suburb of Paris. The alleged victim claims that they met through social media, after which the woman visited the player. Official charges were brought against Hakimi in March 2023, and since then, he has been prohibited from contacting the plaintiff.
The 27-year-old footballer denies all allegations and asserts that only a kiss occurred between him and the woman, which has nothing to do with violence. His lawyers emphasize that Hakimi is innocent and believe that an open trial will clarify all the circumstances of the case and restore the athlete's reputation.
Under French law, if Hakimi's guilt is proven, he could face a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, which is the maximum penalty for rape without aggravating circumstances. A date for the start of the trial will be set soon.
