[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] Canadian-born film director Paul Haggis, who was arrested last month in Italy on charges of sexual assault, was released on the 4th (local time), according to local media.
The presiding judge stated at the hearing held that day that it was confirmed there was no coercive violent act by the accused, and circumstances disproving the original judgment stated in the warrant were revealed. The prosecution is expected to decide soon whether to conclude the investigation.
Haggis was arrested on the 19th of last month at an accommodation facility in Ostuni, southern Italy, on charges of sexually assaulting a 28-year-old British woman. Since then, he has been under house arrest at a hotel for 16 days. He was staying there to attend a film festival event.
At last week's trial, Haggis completely denied the charges. His side claims that the sexual encounter was consensual. However, the Associated Press reported that Haggis has recently been involved in legal disputes over sexual harassment allegations with four women in the United States as well.
Haggis, who works as a film director, producer, and playwright, won the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay in 2006 for the film "Crash." He is also known as the writer of the screenplay for "Million Dollar Baby," the 2005 Academy Award-winning Best Picture.
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