A French court convicted film director Christophe Ruggia on Monday of sexually assaulting actress Adèle Haenel when she was 12 to 15 years old in the early 2000s.
Ruggia was condemned to two years of house arrest with an electronic bracelet, as well as a two-year suspended sentence, in what is regarded as a #MeToo landmark trial in France.
The court determined that Ruggia “took advantage of the dominant position” he held over Adèle Haenel at the time.
“During quasi-weekly meetings at your home for over three years, you had sexualised gestures and attitudes,” as Haenel was “gradually isolated” from her loved ones, the court said in a statement.
However, Ruggia, now 60 years old, denied any wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, Haenel, 35, was the first prominent French actor to accuse the film industry of turning a blind eye to sexual harassment following the #MeToo movement’s emergence.
Haenel accused Ruggia in 2019 of frequently touching her improperly both during and after the early 2000s filming of Les Diables [The Devils].
She appeared relieved, taking deep breaths, as the verdict was announced on Monday.
As Haenel left the courtroom, she was applauded by several women’s rights activists.
