The 69-year-old Canadian-born director and screenwriter, who won two Oscars for the 2004 crime drama “Crash,” to attend a film festival starting Tuesday in Ostuni, a tourist town in the southern Italian region of the country were in Puglia.
Public prosecutors in the nearby city of Brindisi said in a statement on Sunday they had issued a warrant for the custody of a “70-year-old” Canadian man identified as “PH” who was living in Ostuni.
He added: “The man is seriously suspected for the offenses of grievous sexual violence and grievous personal injury, offenses committed to the detriment of a young foreign woman.”
Haggis’ US-based attorney, Priya Choudhury, told CNN in an email on Monday that she is “confident that all charges against Mr Haggis will be dismissed,” noting that Italian law prevents him from discussing the evidence. Is.
She added: “He is completely innocent, and ready to cooperate fully with the authorities so that the truth comes out quickly.”
Haggis’ lawyer in Italy, Michele LaForgia, said in a press statement on Sunday: “Paul Haggis is currently ‘in custody’ at his home in Ostuni, under orders from the Public Prosecutor of Brindisi. We await being called by the judge. Preliminary inquiry for custodial interrogation and submission of our version of the facts.”
He added: “Haggis immediately declared that he was completely innocent and that he looks forward to the maximum speed of all necessary investigations to clarify the matter. Obviously we cannot and will not declare anything further.” Only we can give the details of the charges till we fully learn the acts. The legal matter behind the precautionary measure and we have been heard by the judicial authorities.”
Haggis is an acclaimed director, producer and screenwriter. His film credits include “Crash”, which earned him the Oscars for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay at the 2006 Academy Awards, and the multi-Oscar winning “Million Dollar Baby” as well as the James Bond film “Quantum Off”. The screenplay is also included. Consolation.”