Film and TV screenwriter, producer and director Paul Haggis, pictured in 2017, was arrested in Italy on charges of sexual assault.
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Film and TV screenwriter, producer and director Paul Haggis, pictured in 2017, was arrested in Italy on charges of sexual assault.
Andres Iglesias Rodriguez / Getty Images
Oscar-winning director and screenwriter Paul Haggis is being held in Italy for sexual assault and aggravated personal injury charges.
Italian police arrested Haggis on Sunday for allegedly raping a woman in Ostuni, southern Italy, over a two-day period.
The woman, found at a local airport, is said to have been disembarked by Haggis in the morning despite her “precarious physical and psychological condition”, according to prosecutors Antonio Negro and Livia Orlando. Airport staff informed the police and took her to the hospital, La Presse and other Italian media reported.
Prosecutors have yet to disclose her nationality or age.
Haggis’ attorney has denied the allegations. “According to Italian Law, I cannot discuss the evidence. It shows that I am confident that any charges against Mr. Haggis will be dismissed. He is completely innocent and is ready to cooperate fully with Mr. Haggis. the authorities let the truth come out quickly,” lawyer Priya Chaudhry told NPR in an email.
Haggis has traveled to Italy to teach master’s classes at an upcoming film festival that begins Tuesday. In a statement, the directors of Allora Fest said the news was shocking and expressed solidarity with the woman involved. They also said they immediately removed Haggis from the event.
The 69-year-old Canadian director won an Oscar for writing the screenplay that won Best Picture in 2005 Million dollar baby and direct next year’s best picture winner Accident.
This is not the first time Haggis has been implicated in a sexual assault. In 2018, Haggis was sued by a journalist who accused him of assaulting her after a movie premiere. During the civil trial adjourned because of COVID, three other women accused Haggis of sexual misconduct. Haggis has denied the claims.
