(Credits: Siebbi)
French actor Gérard Depardieu has been accused of attacking Italian celebrity photographer, Rino Barillari, in Rome.
Barillari is a notable figure within the Italian media, and is known locally as ‘The King of Paparazzi’. The 79-year-old works for the Messaggero newspaper, and has filed a report to the police detailing the altercation with Depardieu.
While the specific details of the incident are yet to be disclosed, it occurred at around 2pm on May 21st when Depardieu was eating outside of a restaurant with three guests, including his partner. Both parties have shared their side of the story with local police.
Barillari’s lawyer alleged to Italian media that Depardieu’s partner Magda Vavrusova instigated the incident by attacking the photographer, before the actor also allegedly got involved in the assault.
Speaking to CNN, Piero Lepore, the owner of Harry’s Bar in Rome, confirmed a physical fight did occur but didn’t state who he believed was at fault. He remarked: “We haven’t seen fisticuffs here in two decades. This sort of thing never happens here. We are used to celebrities and we are used to paparazzi – they can’t survive without each other. But we are no longer used to these fights.”
However, Lepore refused to give further details due to it now being a police matter, adding, “I gave my testimony to the police. I can’t say any more.” Moreover, he revealed that Barillari was taken to hospital following the incident.
Meanwhile, Magda Vavrusova’s lawyer, Delphine Meillet, has claimed Barillari was the once who instigated the fight. Meillet revealed to the Adnkronos news agency that Vavrusova told local police in her denouncement: “The photographer pushed me, touching my torso and chest with his arm. At this moment in which I present the complaint I still feel pain, it was very violent.”
Meillet also claimed that Vavrusova went to hospital after the violent dispute, and said that Depardieu only became involved in the fracas to protect his partner but “slipped and fell on” Barillari.
As this incident is now in the hands of Rome police, more details will follow in due course as they explore surveillance footage. However, Barillari is no stranger to physical altercations, and once claimed that he’d been attacked by people he was photographing on over 200 occasions throughout his career.
It was recently revealed that Depardieu will face trial later this year over the alleged sexual assaults of two women while on-set in 2021.
The actor was previously charged in 2020 with raping actor Charlotte Arnould while she was battling anorexia in 2018, and has also been accused of sexual assault by Helene Darras. The latter case was dropped due to it passing the statute of limitations. Furthermore, in 2023, Spanish author and journalist Ruth Baza alleged Depardieu raped her in 1995, and although it has passed the statute of limitations, she filed a complaint to encourage “other people” to do the same. Depardieu denies all of the allegations made against him.
This is a developing story.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
