Achraf Hakimi appears in court seeking dismissal of rape case

Achraf Hakimi has appeared before the Versailles Court of Appeal as he seeks the dismissal of a case in which he has been charged with rape, with the Paris Saint-Germain defender contesting his referral to a criminal court.

The 27-year-old Morocco international attended the hearing in person on Friday, May 22, 2026, before the investigating chamber, where he formally challenged the decision to send him to trial over alleged events said to have taken place in February 2023.

Accompanied by his lawyer, Fanny Colin, Hakimi’s decision to appear personally marked a notable step in a procedure that is typically handled through legal representation.

According to judicial sources, his presence was intended to directly restate his position before magistrates and reaffirm his claim of innocence.

The appeal targets an order issued on February 24 by an investigating judge, which directed that the PSG defender be referred to the departmental criminal court in Hauts-de-Seine.

His legal team argues that the case against him is largely based on the complainant’s testimony and lacks supporting material evidence.

Lawyer Fanny Colin has also criticised what she describes as missing key technical investigations, including medical examinations, DNA analysis, and a full review of the complainant’s mobile phone, which she believes would have been important to the inquiry.

Those close to Hakimi have strongly rejected the findings of the investigation, insisting that the process did not fully explore all elements that could clarify the facts. The defence continues to maintain that the relationship in question was consensual.

Hakimi, who was formally placed under investigation in March 2023, has consistently denied the allegations relating to the incident said to have occurred at his home in Boulogne-Billancourt.

The Versailles Court of Appeal has now reserved its decision. Judges will determine whether to dismiss the case, which would bring proceedings to an end at this stage, or uphold the referral, allowing the matter to proceed to the Hauts-de-Seine departmental criminal court.