On 1 August 2025, French prosecutors formally requested a criminal trial for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) footballer Achraf Hakimi. The Nanterre public prosecutor’s office submitted the request to an investigating judge, who must now decide whether the Moroccan international will be referred to the Hauts-de-Seine Assize Court.
Hakimi, aged 26, has been under judicial supervision since March 2023, when he was charged with rape following an incident alleged by a 24-year-old woman. He denies the accusation. The alleged offence occurred on 25 February 2023 at Hakimi’s residence in Boulogne-Billancourt, a suburb west of Paris.
The prosecution request marks a major development in the long-running investigation, which began over two years ago.
Alleged incident and timeline of events
The trial proceedings for Achraf Hakimi continue after French prosecutors formally charged the Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Moroccan footballer with rape on 3 March 2023. According to Le Monde and AFP, a 24-year-old woman alleged that she met Hakimi on Instagram in January 2023 and visited his home in Boulogne-Billancourt on 25 February 2023.
She claimed he arranged her transport and, during the visit, forced non-consensual sexual acts. Although she did not file a complaint at first, her verbal statement was enough to initiate an investigation. Hakimi was indicted by an investigating judge and placed under judicial supervision, which included a ban on contacting the complainant.
Despite the charges, he was permitted to leave French territory. On 1 August 2025, prosecutors at the Nanterre court formally requested a criminal trial. The final decision now rests with the investigating judge.
Defence response and legal perspectives
Hakimi’s legal team has criticised the prosecutor’s move. His lawyer, Fanny Colin, described the request as “incomprehensible and senseless”. Colin maintains that the encounter was consensual and further alleges that the accusation is part of an attempted extortion.
However, the accuser’s lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, refuted the extortion claim. In a public statement, she welcomed the prosecutor’s move “with immense relief” and reiterated her client’s intention to avoid media speculation. “She has full confidence in the justice system,” Pardo said.
Under French criminal law, a conviction on rape charges could lead to a prison sentence of up to 15 years. The decision now lies with the investigating judge, who must evaluate whether the evidence justifies a full criminal trial.
