Director Paul Haggis was arrested in the southern Italian city of Ostuni on charges of aggravated sexual violence and aggravated personal injury, according to the New York Times and Variety. Reports from Haggis have been confirmed by Italian media reports and a statement from the prosecutor in the nearby city of Brindisi. Haggis reportedly forced an unnamed young woman, identified as a “foreigner,” a non-Italian, to have sex for two days in Ostuni, where Haggis was scheduled to give several master classes at the festival. cinema Then. . According to an Italian police report, after assaulting the victim, Haggis left her at Papola Casale Airport in Brindisi despite her “precarious physical and psychological condition”. The victim, who was in a “confused state”, received help from airport staff and border police, who took her to the offices of the Italian police’s mobile police unit and to the hospital A. Perrino of Brindisi, where the so-called Italy. The “Pink Protocol” for rape victims was carried out. Formal charges were later filed against Haggis.
Haggis’ lawyer, Priya Chaudhry, said in a statement that she could not discuss the evidence under Italian law. “That being said, I am confident that all allegations will be dismissed against Mr. Haggis. He is completely innocent and willing to cooperate fully with the authorities so that the truth comes out quickly,” he continued. Haggis was previously sued in 2018 by publicist Haleigh Breest, who allegedly violently raped her in 2013. Then three more women filed charges of sexual misconduct against Haggis. Due to COVID-19, the trial is still pending. Haggis has denied all charges.