Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) player and 26-year-old Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi is facing charges of rape. On August 1st, the Nanterre Public Prosecutor's Office officially signed a final prosecution recommendation, requesting that Hakimi be brought before the Criminal Court of Hauts-de-Seine for trial. If the case proceeds to trial, Hakimi could face a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. Hakimi himself has consistently denied the allegations.
The case dates back to February 2023. According to police records, a 24-year-old woman stated during a police interview that she met Hakimi through social media private messages. After over a month of online communication, they met at Hakimi's residence in Boulogne-Billancourt, a suburb of Paris, on the evening of February 25th. Hakimi had arranged a car to pick her up and drop her off for the meeting. Upon arrival, Hakimi allegedly kissed her lips and chest without consent, continued despite her objections, and ultimately forcibly had sexual intercourse with her. The victim broke free, fled, and texted a friend to come pick her up. The police also verified her psychological state at the time.
On the night of the incident, the woman went to a police station in the Paris area to report the matter but did not immediately file a formal complaint. Later, she provided post-incident chat records to the police during the preliminary investigation launched by the prosecution. On March 3rd, 2023, Hakimi was placed under investigation on suspicion of rape, questioned by the police, and then subject to judicial supervision. He denied any assault or rape in all interrogations.
Throughout the investigation, Paris Saint-Germain has consistently stated that it trusts the judicial process and supports the player. In December 2023, Hakimi and the accuser confronted each other face-to-face in the judge's office, with both sticking to their respective accounts. Hakimi's legal team insists the case is fabricated by the other party with an extortion motive, but the victim and her lawyer firmly deny this. "The prosecution's decision to recommend prosecution has brought great relief to my client," the victim's attorney stated. "We will not tolerate any smears or stigmatization against the victimized woman." Hakimi's lawyer, however, argued that "this prosecution recommendation lacks basis, and the case materials have proven the complainant's lies." She added that Hakimi will face the subsequent legal proceedings with a calm attitude and will file an appeal if necessary.
Currently, whether the case will officially proceed to trial still awaits the judge's final decision.
