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Court Confirms Achraf Hakimi Will Stand Trial on 2023 Rape Charge

The appeal chamber cleared the case for an oral trial in Hauts-de-Seine while the defense keeps the option to seek review at the Cour de Cassation.

Overview

  • The Court of Appeal of Versailles rejected Achraf Hakimi’s challenge on Friday, June 19, 2026, upholding an examining judge’s order to send the 2023 indictment to an oral criminal trial.
  • The complaint says the alleged attack occurred at Hakimi’s Boulogne-Billancourt home after the two met on Instagram and describes non-consensual kissing, removal of clothing, unwanted touching and digital penetration.
  • Hakimi denies the accusations, posted on X that he has awaited the chance to speak at trial, and his lawyers have argued procedural and evidentiary flaws while reserving the right to ask the Cour de Cassation for review.
  • Kylian Mbappé has been identified as a possible witness because of conversations he had with Hakimi on the night in question, and the court found Mbappé’s later clarification insufficient to block the remittance to trial.
  • No hearing date has been set but the case is expected to be tried at the Hauts-de-Seine criminal court in Nanterre, a process that has intensified public scrutiny during the 2026 World Cup and could affect the people involved beyond sport through reputational and legal consequences.