French actor Gerard Depardieu He faces serious criminal prosecution in Italy, accused of punching the famous photojournalist Rino Barillari outside a bar in Rome. The case is due to be tried on June 17, in the Criminal Court of the Italian capital.

The 76 -year -old actor allegedly attacked the photojournalist in May 2023, outside the Harry’s Bar historic at Via Veneto. Barillari, known in Italy as “The King of the Paparazzi” For his persistent presence next to the celebrities, he had gone to the spot after being informed that Depardier was dining there with a girlfriend, Magda Vavrusova.

In his statements shortly after the incident, the 80 -year -old photographer claimed that his presence annoyed the actor, who approached him and attacked him. According to Barillari’s description, Depardieu punched him three times, throwing him to the ground. Barillari was taken to the hospital, where he received first aid to the left eye.

The photographer also complained that Deardien showed him the middle finger, threw her a ice -cream, and made a derogatory comment on the Italians. “I can forgive his fists. No, but the insult to the Italians »told the Italian agency Adnkronos.

Depardieu denies the accusations. In an interview with La Repubblica, he claimed that it was Barillari who pushed him first. At the same time, Bavruusova’s lawyer, Dell, said the photographer had violently attacked her client and that Depardieu “slipped and fell on him”, trying to protect her.