- Jean-Claude Van Damme faces charges in Romania for alleged involvement with trafficked women
- He’s accused of accepting five women from traffickers at a Cannes event
- Legal action requires approval from France’s High Court
Jean-Claude Van Damme is reportedly facing criminal charges in Romania over allegations that he knowingly engaged in sexual activities with women trafficked by a criminal group.
The 64-year-old action star, famed for roles in films like Street Fighter and Double Impact, is accused of receiving five Romanian women as a “gift” from traffickers while attending an event in Cannes, France.
According to a report by the local CNN affiliate, Antena 3, a criminal complaint has been filed with Romania’s Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT). The Independent has reached out to both Van Damme’s representatives and DIICOT for comment.
The investigation began after a woman allegedly witnessed the incident at a Cannes event organized by Van Damme and reported it to prosecutors. Attorney Adrian Cuculis, who represents one of the victims, told Antena 3 that several Romanians currently under investigation for forming a criminal group and operating as pimps allegedly provided Van Damme with five Romanian women, described as photo models, for sexual relations.
Cuculis further stated that Van Damme was aware of the women’s vulnerable state and that they were possibly exploited, as outlined in Romania’s Criminal Code. He confirmed that this case is part of a larger investigation into human trafficking and the trafficking of minors, which has been ongoing since 2020.
The case, which took place in Cannes, will require approval from France’s High Court of Cassation before the suspects involved can be summoned to Romania for questioning.
Van Damme, a well-known action star since his breakthrough role in Bloodsport (1988), has not yet commented on the allegations.
