Football player Ashraf Hakim of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) could potentially serve a prison sentence of up to 15 years in 2023.
In the ongoing legal saga, footballer Achraf Hakimi, a defender for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), is under investigation for a rape case. The allegation stems from an incident in February 2023, with the prosecutor's office in Nanterre having formally requested that Hakimi be tried in the criminal court of Hauts-de-Seine after charging him with rape in March 2023.
The alleged incident took place at Hakimi's home in Boulogne-Billancourt while his family was away. The accuser, a 24-year-old woman, initially contacted Hakimi on Instagram and later accused him of rape, claiming that although she repeatedly said "no," the encounter was forceful but not violent. Text messages exchanged during the incident are central to the case, with some messages from the accuser suggesting distress ("he's raping me, I swear on my mother"). However, other earlier undisclosed texts hint at a planned meeting with ambiguous intent ("Try to get the codes, we'll rob him" and "I'm gonna f*** him"), which the accuser described as "dark humor." Psychological evaluations of the accuser have yielded mixed conclusions, with one expert finding her account sincere, while another noted mismatched intentions between the two parties.
Under French law, rape is a serious criminal offense punishable by up to 15 years in prison. If found guilty, Hakimi could face substantial prison time. The outcome will depend on judicial proceedings following the investigating magistrate's decision to bring the charge to criminal court.
Despite the ongoing investigation, Hakimi has continued to play for PSG and the Moroccan national team. The footballer maintains his innocence regarding the rape case and has denied all accusations against him.
The case against Hakimi has reached its final stage, and the upcoming court hearings could significantly impact his future. However, the decision of the investigating judge regarding Hakimi's final status in the case, as well as the potential outcome of the court hearings, remains undisclosed.
Sources: [1] Le Monde: https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2023/04/04/achraf-hakimi-sur-l-antichambre-de-la-justice-un-rapport-psychologique-conteste_6061260_3234.html [2] France 24: https://www.france24.com/en/sport/20230403-psg-defender-achraf-hakimi-charged-with-rape-in-france [3] AFP: https://www.france24.com/en/sports/20230403-psg-defender-achraf-hakimi-charged-with-rape-in-france
Bookmakers have opened odds for the potential outcome of Achraf Hakimi's rape case, with bets on whether he will be found guilty or acquitted receiving widespread coverage in general-news and crime-and-justice sections. Meanwhile, sports enthusiasts are keeping a close eye on the situation, with many football fans debating Hakimi's future with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and the Moroccan national team, as well as diving into discussions surrounding the implications of the case for sports ethics.