Achraf Hakimi to Appeal Decision Sending Rape Case to Criminal Court

Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco international defender Achraf Hakimi has filed an appeal with the Court of Cassation following the Versailles Court of Appeal’s decision to send him to a criminal court to face trial for an alleged rape in 2023. The legal proceedings, which have been ongoing since the accusations surfaced in early 2023, move to France’s highest judicial court as the player continues to contest the allegations.

The Legal Status of the Case

The Versailles Court of Appeal recently upheld a previous ruling that ordered the 26-year-old footballer to stand trial before a criminal court. Legal representatives for Hakimi confirmed the decision to challenge this ruling by filing an appeal with the Court of Cassation, the final court of appeal in the French judiciary for civil and criminal matters. This move effectively pauses the path to a trial while the high court reviews the procedural validity of the lower court’s decision.

The allegations center on an incident reported in February 2023, involving a woman who claimed she was raped at the player’s residence in Boulogne-Billancourt, near Paris. Hakimi was placed under formal investigation by French authorities shortly after the complaint was filed. Throughout the duration of the investigation, the player has consistently maintained his innocence through his legal counsel, describing the accusations as a “false” attempt at extortion.

Maintaining Professional Focus

Despite the ongoing legal scrutiny, Hakimi has remained an active member of the Paris Saint-Germain squad and the Moroccan national team. Speaking recently during international duty, the defender addressed his state of mind, stating that he is experiencing a “very good period, both personally and professionally.”

This public stance reflects a pattern of behavior where the player has continued his career obligations uninterrupted by the judicial process. His legal team has previously characterized the case as an attempt to leverage his status as a high-profile athlete, though the decision by the Court of Appeal to proceed to a criminal trial indicates that investigators found sufficient grounds for the case to be heard by a jury.

Judicial Process and Potential Implications

In the French legal system, a referral to a criminal court (cour criminelle) is a significant step, as it signifies that a magistrate believes there is enough evidence to warrant a trial for serious charges. The Court of Cassation does not re-examine the facts of the case, but rather determines whether the law was applied correctly by the lower courts. If the Court of Cassation rejects the appeal, the case will proceed toward a trial date in the criminal court.

For Paris Saint-Germain, the situation remains a delicate matter of balancing player availability with the severity of the charges. Hakimi, who joined the Ligue 1 champions in 2021 from Inter Milan, has been a key tactical component for both club and country. His participation in upcoming matches remains subject to his professional status, as no restrictive measures have currently barred him from competition.

Next Steps in the Proceedings

The filing of an appeal means that there is currently no set date for a trial. The Court of Cassation will now deliberate on the procedural arguments presented by Hakimi’s defense team. No timeline for a final decision from the high court has been provided, and until that ruling is issued, the legal status of the player remains in a state of suspension regarding the criminal trial.

Updates on the judicial trajectory will be monitored as the Court of Cassation schedules its review. For ongoing coverage of Ligue 1 and international football developments involving Paris Saint-Germain, stay tuned to Archysport.