On Monday the Paris criminal court postponed the trial of French actor Gerard Depardieu on charges of sexually abusing two women on a movie set due to concerns over his health. Instead, the case will begin in March.

Depardieu has denied all wrongdoing and is accused by prosecutors of using “violence or coercion” as well as “surprise, threat, or surprise” to commit the alleged assaults in 2021, according to prosecutors, while filming “Les Volets verts”.

A court-appointed expert was also appointed to evaluate the health of 75-year-old actor Depardieu. Depardieu’s lawyer Jeremie Assous asked for the postponement. He said that Depardieu has heart problems and diabetes-related issues.

Assous stated that doctors determined the actor wasn’t well enough to attend court proceedings, despite his desire to do so.

Assous told The Associated Press that “he is eager to defend himself” because a large number of falsehoods, inaccuracies, and lies have been systematically spread and relayed for more than three years. We’ll finally be able to hear the words of the defense.”

Both women’s lawyers argued for the postponement as well, stating that their clients wanted to hear Depardieu explain his actions.

The prosecution says that both women claimed that the actor had trapped them between his leg and groped their buttocks and genitals as well as their chests and breasts while they were still wearing their clothing.

After hearing Depardieu’s lawyer defend his client, a 53-year-old production designer said outside the courtroom that it was “extremely difficult to listen to this violence.” “He questioned almost everything. There were many lies about everything.”

The Associated Press does not usually identify sexual assault victims without their consent.

France is still dealing with sexual violence, despite the #MeToo campaign that was initially slow to gain traction in certain industries.

Anouk Grindberg, a French actress who played in “The Green Shutters”, told the AP that Depardieu was a coward outside the courtroom. Grinberg said that she appeared in court because “I can’t stand it anymore… And impunity has to stop. Society can’t tolerate it”.

Around 100 people gathered in front of the court on Monday. Some held signs as they responded to an appeal from feminist groups to show their support for victims. Some activists entered the courtroom to sit with other members of the public who were attending the hearings.

Blanche Sabbah is a woman’s rights activist who said, “We’re here, even though Gerard Depardieu won’t show up.” The plaintiffs have “shown up.” “They’re here, and I’m here to support them.” “That’s why these feminists all came here.”

According to Paris prosecutors the production designer informed investigators that Depardieu made earlier sexual remarks. Then, one day as she was walking past him, “he grabbed her, pulled toward him, blocked him with his legs, then groped her waist and hips, while accompanying his gestures by obscene comments.”

The prosecution said that three witnesses witnessed the incident, and they claimed that Depardieu was “shocked” when she tried to escape. A psychiatrist examined her, and a leave of seven days was granted.

Depardieu was asked to apologize after the incident. In a Saturday TV interview, the woman claimed that the actor was angry and blamed the incident on her. Witnesses confirmed to prosecutors that Depardieu’s words did not amount to an apology.

In an interview with the French online news website Mediapart, a production designer — who spoke on camera but gave only her first name — stated that the incident had affected her personal and professional life for at least 18 months. She claimed that she was unable to sleep, had anxiety attacks, and had lost weight.

Prosecutors said that a woman who worked on the filming set complained to them about Depardieu a month before the incident.

Investigators were told by a director’s assistant that Depardieu touched her buttocks several times. She claimed that she had expressed disapproval, and Depardieu insulted her in response. A psychiatrist also gave her a six-day break.

Depardieu has been praised by many, including French President Emmanuel Macron who expressed regret for not having stressed the importance of victims speaking out.

Last year, 56 French actors, writers, and producers wrote an article defending Gerard Depardieu, stating that “the art (of film) is attacked when Gerard Depardieu’s reputation is attacked in this manner.”

The call was made just weeks after France 2 broadcast a documentary detailing 16 allegations of sexual misconduct against Depardieu. It also showed Depardieu making obscene gestures and remarks during a trip to North Korea in 2018.

Depardieu is seen in the video making sexual remarks and groaning noises to women, including an 11-year-old girl riding a pony. He is also seen posing in a picture, telling the photographer that he “touched the bottom” (or genitals) of a North Korean translator by his side.

Depardieu has been charged with rape, sexual assault, and sexual abuse in 2020 following allegations made by actor Charlotte Arnould.

Depardieu wrote in an open letter last year, “I never abused a female.”

He was considered a national hero in France for many years. He was a global ambassador of French cinema and achieved international fame for his roles in Hollywood.