Jean-Claude Van Damme is reportedly facing criminal charges in Romania after allegedly sleeping with sex trafficking victims.
News broke on Tuesday, April 1, that a criminal complaint was filed with the Romanian Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) against the actor, according to CNN affiliate Antena 3.
The reported complaint alleged that Van Damme, 64, knowingly engaged in sexual relations with women who were being sex trafficked by Morel Bolea’s criminal group.
Van Damme allegedly received five Romanian women as a “gift” during a trip to Cannes, France, and was reportedly aware they were part of a trafficking network.
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The Double Impact actor’s name was brought to light after one of the alleged victims came forward.
Us Weekly has reached out to Van Damme’s rep for comment.
According to attorney Adrian Cuculis, who represents one of the victims, all the women in question were “in a state of vulnerability, with the suspicion that they were exploited within the meaning of Article 182 of the Criminal Code.”
The DIICOT decided to open a criminal investigation into the alleged incident after a female witness told prosecutors that she saw the alleged exchange between Van Damme and the Romanian women take place at an event that he organized in Cannes, per Antena 3.
“Several Romanians who are currently being investigated for forming a criminal group and pimping, allegedly offered Jean-Claude Van Damme five Romanian women — photo models in Romania — for him to have sexual relations with,” Cuculis told the outlet, claiming, “The person who received those benefits knew their condition.”
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The attorney further alleged that based on witness statements, “It is very clear that Jean-Claude Van Damme knew that these people were being exploited.”
The outlet explained that since the alleged incident took place in Cannes, it will be up to the Prosecutor General of the prosecutor’s office attached to the High Court of Cassation to authorize the initiation of criminal proceedings.
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Until then, Antena 3 said the file will remain with the DIICOT and the alleged perpetrators will be summoned to Romania to give statements before moving forward.
The case is part of a larger investigation that the prosecutor’s office in Romania began in 2020 to look into human trafficking and the trafficking of minors, per Antena 3.
Van Damme, for his part, is best known for his martial arts background and stunt work as well as his acting career, which began in the 1980s. He most recently starred in The Gardener.
If you have any information about a trafficking situation, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
