(CNN)Oscar-winning filmmaker Paul Haggis He was arrested in Italy on charges of sexual assault and personal injury, according to a statement from the local prosecutor and his legal team.
The 69-year-old Canadian-born director and screenwriter, who won two Oscars for his 2004 crime drama “Crash”, arrived in the southern Italian city of Ostuni to attend a film festival starting on Tuesday. Puglia.
Prosecutors in a town near Brindisi said in a statement Sunday that they had issued a warrant for the arrest of a “70-year-old” Canadian man known as “PH”, who lives in Ostuni.
He said: “The person is a serious suspect in the crimes of sexual violence and personal injury, harming a young foreign woman.”
Haggis’ US-based lawyer, Priya Choudhury, told CNN in an email on Monday that she “believes all charges against Mr. Haggis will be dropped,” noting that Italian law prohibits her from discussing the evidence.
She further added: “He is completely innocent and is ready to cooperate fully with the authorities so that the truth will come out soon.”
Michelle Laforgia, Hagis’ lawyer in Italy, said in a press statement on Sunday: “Paul Haggis is currently at his home in Ostuni, under” obstruction “by Brindisi’s public prosecutor’s order.
He further added: “Haggis immediately declared that he is completely innocent and he hopes to expedite all necessary investigations to unravel this case. No. The legal case behind the precautionary measure and the judicial authorities have listened to us. “
Haggis is a acclaimed director, producer and screenwriter. His film credits include “Crash”, which won him an Oscar 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 of Consolation.”