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Oscar-winning Canadian screenwriter and director Paul Haggis has been arrested in Ostuni, Italy, on charges of sexual assault and aggravated personal injury reportedly inflicted upon a still unidentified woman who has pressed charges.
According to several Italian press reports and a note from the public prosecutor of the nearby city of Brindisi, Haggis is charged with forcing a young “foreign”, meaning non-Italian, woman to undergo sexual intercourse over the course of two days in Ostuni, where he was scheduled to hold several master classes at the Allora Fest, a new film event being launched by Los Angeles-based Italian journalist Silvia Bizio and Spanish art critic Sol Costales Doulton set to run from June 21-26, reports ‘Variety’.
Bizio has confirmed to Variety that Haggis is under arrest.
“Under Italian Law, I cannot discuss the evidence,” Haggis’ longtime personal attorney Priya Chaudhry said in a statement. “That said, I am confident that all allegations will be dismissed against Mr. Haggis. He is totally innocent and willing to fully cooperate with the authorities so the truth comes out quickly.”
