Canadian screenwriter Paul Haggis has been arrested in Italy upon sexual assault and aggravated personal injury charges. The woman who has decided to press charges against Haggis has chosen to keep her identity private. On the report of multiple sources, Haggis allegedly forced a “foreign” woman to participate in sexual intercourse during two days of his stay in Ostuni, Italy where he was later arrested. All information has been released by Italian sources, so the word “foreign” is in reference to a non-Italian woman.
Haggis’ lawyer Priya Chaudhry said she is “confident that all allegations will be dismissed against Mr. Haggis” and that he is “totally innocent”.
Haggis was in Ostuni to support the new Allora Film Festival, created by Italian journalist Silvia Bizio and Spanish art critic Sol Costales Doulton. The festival is now scheduled to run from June 21-26 where Haggis would have held master classes.
The Allora Festival has said they are “shocked” at the news of Haggis’ alleged actions and have since rid the festival of any support from the Oscar-winning director. The two female festival heads also expressed that they stand with any and all women involved and that they wish for the festival to provide more awareness on this issue.
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