The 69-year-old Canadian-born director and screenwriter, who gained two Oscars for the 2004 crime drama “Crash,” was within the nation to attend a movie pageant that begins Tuesday in Ostuni, a vacationer city within the southern Italian area of Puglia.
Public prosecutors within the close by city of Brindisi stated in an announcement Sunday that they issued a warrant for the detention of a “70-year-old” Canadian man recognized as “P.H.,” who was staying in Ostuni.
They stated: “The person is significantly suspected of the crimes of aggravated sexual violence and aggravated private damage, crimes dedicated to the detriment of a younger overseas lady.”
Haggis’ US-based legal professional, Priya Chaudhry, informed CNN in an e mail on Monday that she was “assured that every one allegations will probably be dismissed in opposition to Mr. Haggis,” whereas noting that Italian legislation prevents her from discussing the proof.
She added: “He’s completely harmless, and prepared to completely cooperate with the authorities so the reality comes out shortly.”
Haggis’ lawyer in Italy, Michele Laforgia, stated in a press assertion Sunday: “Paul Haggis is presently in Ostuni, at his residence, beneath ‘detention’ by order of the Public Prosecutor of Brindisi. We’re ready to be summoned by the Choose for Preliminary Investigations for the custody interrogation and to render our model of the info.”
He added: “Haggis instantly declared that he was utterly harmless and that he hopes for the utmost velocity of all the required investigations to make clear the matter. Clearly we can’t declare something additional nor give particulars of the accusations till we be taught totally the acts of the authorized case behind the cautionary measure and we’ve been heard by the judicial authorities.”
Haggis is an acclaimed director, producer and screenwriter. His movie credit embrace “Crash,” which earned him Oscars for finest image and finest authentic screenplay on the 2006 Academy Awards, and the screenplays for the multi-Oscar-winning “Million Greenback Child” in addition to the James Bond movie “Quantum of Solace.”