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Oscar-winning director Paul Haggis has been arrested in southern Italy on suspicion of aggravated sexual assault.
Prosecutors in the southeastern town of Brindisi say the well-known Canadian filmmaker is accused of “serious personal injury to a young foreign girl”.
Local agencies ANSA and AGI quoted reports that Haggis has denied the allegations through his lawyer Michele Laforgia.
“The actions start as soon as possible, I am completely innocent,” the producer said, according to lawyer Laforgia, the agencies reported.
Another lawyer representing Haggis, Priya Chaudhry, gave a statement to several US networks saying the director was “totally innocent”.
When asked by reporters she said: “Under Italian law, I can not discuss the evidence of the investigation.”
“But I’m sure the charges will go down as Haggis is cooperating with the authorities and the truth will come out soon.”
Haggis, 69, director and screenwriter of the 2005 Oscar-winning film “Crash,” was expected to attend the Allora Fest, which kicks off tomorrow in Ostuni, Brindisi.
Prosecutors said the victim “stayed” with Haggis before the festival.
“The suspect had forced the young girl, whom he had known some time ago, to have sexual intercourse with her.”
They added that after one of the episodes the girl was forced to seek medical help.
The daily La Repubblica wrote that Haggis is already under house arrest in Ostuni.
The BBC has contacted the Allora Fest festival but the name of the detainee does not appear to be on the official calendar events.
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