Achraf Hakimi to Stand Trial for Alleged Rape

Achraf Hakimi facing rape trial

Moroccan footballer Achraf Hakimi denies allegations, awaits trial for alleged rape of a 24-year-old woman. Hakimi responds to allegations, saying “today, a rape accusation alone is enough to justify a trial.”

“We will not tolerate any smear campaign or attempt at destabilisation, as unfortunately still happens...”

Achraf Hakimi, the PSG and Morocco defender, is set to stand trial for allegedly raping a young woman in February 2023. The Nanterre prosecutor's office confirmed that Hakimi's case has been sent to trial, with the player's lawyer, Fanny Colin, stating that the accusation is false.

Hakimi himself took to social media to express his frustration, saying, “Today, a rape accusation alone is enough to justify a trial, even though I contest it and everything shows it is false. I am calmly awaiting this trial, which will allow the truth to come out publicly.”

The alleged incident occurred on February 25, 2023, at Hakimi's home in Boulogne-Billancourt, with the woman claiming she was raped after meeting Hakimi on Instagram. Hakimi has maintained that the encounter was consensual, with his lawyer suggesting it was an attempt at extortion.

A 24-year-old woman visited a police station in Val-de-Marne at the end of February 2023, reporting she was raped but didn't file a formal complaint at the time.

“A trial is being ordered based solely on the word of a woman who blocked all investigations, refused all medical exams and DNA tests, refused to allow her phone to be examined, and refused to name a key witness,” said the player’s lawyer, Fanny Colin.

The woman alleged that Hakimi kissed her, touched her without consent, and then raped her, according to a police source.

The woman's lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, hasn't commented on the trial referral yet.

Ms Colin stated that the “two psychological assessments” of the victim “revealed a lack of clarity regarding the facts she claims to report” and pointed out in particular “that she tried to hide from the judicial authorities several messages exchanged with one of her friends, planning to rob Mr. Hakimi.”

After the prosecutor’s recommendations, which called for the footballer to be sent to trial for rape, Ms Pardo stated that “nothing in this case suggests an attempt at extortion.”

“We will not tolerate any smear campaign or attempt at destabilisation, as unfortunately still happens too often to women who have the courage to report rape,” she added.

“We are determined and ready to fight as we await this trial, so that justice can be served.”