PSG Star Achraf Hakimi Faces Potential Rape Trial as Prosecutor Pushes for Court Referral

The case began on February 27, 2023. While attending the Best FIFA Awards ceremony in Paris, Achraf Hakimi was informed of the publication of an article in Le Parisien revealing the existence of an investigation targeting him. According to statements by his friend Kylian Mbappé to the investigators, the Paris Saint-Germain player would have been particularly affected by the news: "Achraf completely cracked, he cried. He was really not well." His manager, Rita, also testified to her shock and immediate denial, reporting his words: "He explained to me that he had indeed ordered an Uber for a woman who had come to his house, that they had had a calm evening, that they had simply kissed and that they had not slept together, that nothing had happened between them."

From the beginning of the proceedings, two contradictory versions have been presented. The defense of Achraf Hakimi, through the voice of his lawyer Me Fanny Colin, immediately put forward the thesis of a trap, claiming that her client had "been the object of an attempted extortion." In opposition, the lawyer for the plaintiff, Me Rachel-Flore Pardo, contested this reading of the facts, declaring: "Nothing in this file makes it possible to characterize an attempted extortion," reports l’Équipe.

The plaintiff, a 24-year-old woman named Amélie*, filed a hand-written complaint on February 26, 2023. In her statement, she explained that she had gone to the player’s home on the night of February 24 to 25 after exchanges on Instagram. She described unwanted kisses and increasing insistence from the footballer. She claimed to have clearly indicated her refusal to have a sexual relationship, but that he would have imposed a digital penetration on her. "In my head I said to myself: it’s a nightmare [...] I asked him to stop several times," she recounted. Although she did not wish to file a complaint, the Nanterre public prosecutor’s office took over the case, as the procedure allows in cases of sexual violence.

The analysis of telephone communications has become a central element of the case. The plaintiff provided messages sent to a friend, Nadia*, which seemed to indicate a situation of distress ("it’s very serious, he’s raping me"). However, the exploitation of this friend’s phone revealed other messages, exchanged before the meeting, which are at the heart of the defense strategy. In these SMS, Nadia* suggested to Amélie* to "get the codes" and wrote "we’re going to go and rob him." Questioned about these exchanges, the two young women mentioned "jokes" and "dark humor."

During his hearing, Achraf Hakimi denied all the accusations, declaring: "She is lying." He described consensual kisses and claimed to have ended the evening after respecting the young woman’s refusal to go further. He also contested having made certain statements reported by the plaintiff, arguing his limited mastery of French at the time of the events. The confrontation organized in December 2023 did not resolve these contradictions, each party maintaining its version.

Two psychological assessments of the plaintiff have been included in the file. The first notes that her speech "seems to be sincere and authentic" while noting elements to "nuance," such as a possible "suggestibility." The second assessment emphasizes the gap between the young woman’s idea of the meeting and "the reality of the other’s desire," concluding that "Mr. Hakimi probably has no visibility on Amélie’s inner dialogue."

Several of the player’s close friends, including Kylian Mbappé and hairstylist Brice Tchaga, have been heard. Their testimonies converged to describe a group of friends aware of the risks associated with fame and particularly vigilant on the notion of consent. This environment, according to the defense, reinforces the thesis of a cautious player, aware of the stakes. Achraf Hakimi himself told investigators that he thought he was being targeted because of his career and financial situation.

Following the prosecutor’s requisitions, Me Fanny Colin described the approach as "incomprehensible and senseless in view of the elements in the file." For her part, Me Rachel-Flore Pardo indicated that her client was receiving the news "with immense relief." Paris Saint-Germain reiterated its position from March 2023, stating that it has "confidence in justice" and is providing "support" to its player.