UMVA has learned that Achraf Hakimi, the Moroccan football star, will stand trial in France on charges of rape, with the trial expected to proceed after a court ruling confirmed there is sufficient evidence against him.
The court statement revealed that investigations carried out during the preliminary inquiry and the judicial investigation led to the conclusion that there is enough evidence to justify Hakimi's indictment before the departmental criminal court of Hauts-de-Seine.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that Hakimi had asked for the case against him to be dismissed, but the court has ruled that the trial will go ahead, although a start date has not been announced.
In a statement released after the announcement, Hakimi expressed his eagerness to finally speak publicly about the case, saying, "The justice system looked me in the eye and said, 'If you weren't famous, there would never have been a case.' I chose to remain silent for years. I believed that maintaining my dignity, being patient, and trusting in the justice system would allow the right decisions to be made."
Hakimi's lawyer, Fanny Colin, stated that the multitude of exculpatory elements revealed by the investigation and the judicial inquiry would, in any other case, have led to a dismissal, adding that Hakimi's defense regrets that the consequences of the civil party's contradictions and lies have not been addressed.
The plaintiff's lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, said the decision brought her client "relief and hope," adding that the investigating chamber has ruled that there is sufficient evidence against Hakimi for having committed rape.
Pardo emphasized that the decision is perfectly consistent with the evidence in the case and in line with the opinions of the public prosecutor, the investigating judge, and the advocate general at the Court of Appeal, saying that six judges have determined that the numerous incriminating elements justify indicting Hakimi before the Departmental Criminal Court for rape.
UMVA has gathered that the case has been ongoing for more than three years, with Hakimi's defense having slandered and dragged the plaintiff through the mud, but Pardo said that the decision brings her client relief and hope that the trial will help other women and further crack the fortress of denial and impunity surrounding sexual violence.
