Adèle Haenel

French filmmaker Christophe Ruggia was on Thursday placed under formal investigation for “sexual assault of a minor” following an investigation opened by the Paris public prosecution services into actress Adèle Haenel's allegations, revealed by Mediapart, that she was sexually harassed by Ruggia over a period when she was aged between 12 and 15.

French filmmaker Christophe Ruggia was arrested and taken into custody by police in Paris for questioning on Tuesday as part of investigations into “sexual assault of a minor” and “sexual harassment” prompted by actress Adèle Haenel’s interview with Mediapart last November. That interview, and Mediapart’s investigation into her claims that when she was aged between 12 and 15 she suffered “constant sexual harassment”, repeated “touching” of her thighs and body and “forced kisses on the neck” from the director rocked French cinema and prompted the industry to announce changes in its working regulations. In previous statements to Mediapart, Ruggia has denied wrongdoing. Marine Turchi reports.

A Mediapart investigation published earlier this month revealing the acclaimed French actress Adèle Haenel’s accusations of inappropriate “touching” and of “sexual harassment” by film director Christophe Ruggia when she was a minor has rocked French cinema. Her account, which Ruggia has “categorically” denied, prompted the opening of a probe by public prosecutors, a wave of public support for her from professional organisations and figures in the French filmmaking industry, and pledges to introduce tighter regulations to crack down on sexual misconduct in the world of cinema and TV production. Haenel, now aged 30, also gave a lengthy live video interview to Mediapart, in which she spoke further about her alleged experiences and why she finally decided to speak out, presented here for the first time with English subtitles.

The Paris public prosecution services announced on Wednesday that they have opened a preliminary investigation into French actress Adèle Haenel’s accusations, made in an interview with Mediapart, that filmmaker Christophe Ruggia had sexually harassed her and subjected her to inappropriate “touching” over several years when she was aged between 12 and 15. Haenel, now aged 30, has this week received the support of many leading figures in the French cinema industry. Meanwhile, Ruggia has addressed a new statement to Mediapart in which he recognises a “hold” he may have had over Haenel, but again denies any inappropriate sexual behaviour.

Award-winning French actress Adèle Haenel has accused the prominent French filmmaker Christophe Ruggia of inappropriate “touching” and of “sexually harassing” her when she was aged between 12 and 15. Haenel, now aged 30, whose story is supported by numerous documents and witness accounts, describes the director's behaviour as “paedophilia”. In this lengthy investigation, Mediapart reveals the long journey the actress has undergone, from the period when it was “impossible” to speak out to the point when continuing to stay silent had become “unbearable”. In a written statement, Christophe Ruggia has “categorically” denied the claims. Marine Turchi reports.