Canadian director and screenwriter Paul Haggis, an Oscar winner for Crash (2005), was taken into custody in Ostuni, a city in southern Italy, this past Sunday amid allegations of sexual abuse brought forward by a local woman. The accusations, reported by regional media outlets, place Haggis at the center of a serious criminal inquiry connected to events in Ostuni. The matter has sparked questions about the details surrounding the alleged abuse and the conditions in which it allegedly occurred, as investigators review the case in coordination with Italian authorities.
Haggis, facing charges of sexual violence and serious personal injury, was in Ostuni to participate in the Allora Festival, according to a report from state broadcaster RAI, which cited a statement issued by the Brindisi Prosecutor’s Office. The regional prosecutor’s team is examining the timeline and circumstances surrounding the alleged incident, including the duration and nature of the interactions that prompted the complaint.
Authorities say the accused individual allegedly pressured a foreign woman to engage in sexual activity for two days and then urged her to leave at Papola Casale airport near Brindisi, all while she was reportedly in a distressed physical and psychological state. The involvement of airport and customs officers who accompanied the complainant during her initial statement led to her being taken to Brindisi hospital, where the appropriate procedures for victims of sexual violence were activated.
As of now, Haggis, aged 69, remains in custody under a precautionary measure ordered by the Brindisi public prosecutor, Antonio Negro, and his deputy, Livia Orlando. The prosecutor’s office has indicated that the investigation will consider whether the protected actions of the accused extended to the young woman, with prosecutors asserting that the ongoing inquiry may reveal circumstances that require heightened protective measures for the complainant.
According to the information gathered to date, authorities are focusing on whether the alleged relationship involved coercion or abuse of power. The case is being handled in coordination with Italian judiciary officials, who are reviewing all available evidence and testimonies as part of the standard investigative protocol.
In January 2018, multiple women in the United States accused Haggis of various forms of sexual misconduct, including allegations of assault and related violations, prompting coverage and investigation by U.S. authorities and media outlets following a complaint filed in New York by journalist Haleigh Breest. The case drew international attention and has been referenced in continuing discussions about accountability in the film industry. The current proceedings in Italy are separate and concerns different allegations and contexts, with investigators emphasizing the importance of a thorough, legally grounded process for all parties involved. (citation: Brindisi Prosecutor’s Office) (citation: RAI) (citation: U.S. reporting on Haggis case)