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Filmmakers Jacquot, Doillon quizzed over sex crime allegations

French cinema directors Benoît Jacquot, 77, and Jacques Doillon, 80, were taken into police sutody on Monday for questioning over allegations of historical crimes of sexual assault and rape of girls, first prompted by a complaint filed in February by actress Judith Godrèche and which was followed by separate complaints filed by two other actresses. 

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Leading French filmmakers Benoît Jacquot and Jacques Doillon have been taken into police custody for questioning over accusations of historical sexual abuse, reports BBC News.

Actor Judith Godrèche accused Benoît Jacquot of raping her as a child and Jacques Doillon of sexually assaulting her, also as a child.

The two men arrived at the Regional Directorate of the Judicial Police (DRPJ) in Paris on Monday morning, the AFP news agency reports.

The pair have denied the allegations and their lawyers have denounced their detainment.

Jacques Doillon's lawyer, Marie Dosé, said no legal criteria could justify his being detained for questioning "36 years" after the alleged incident.

Under French law, an individual can be held in police custody for up to 48 hours.

Earlier this year, Ms Godrèche, 51, filed a complaint against Benoît Jacquot, 77, accusing him of rape in 1986, when she was 14.

She claimed that he had an unhealthy "hold" over her during a relationship that lasted into the 1990s.

She also accused Jacques Doillon of sexual assault while on set when she acted in one of his films.

Read more of this report from BBC News.