French President Macron criticizes ‘manhunt’ of Gérard Depardieu

French President Emmanuel Macron criticized recent scrutiny surrounding Gérard Depardieu, which he called a “manhunt,” according to The New York Times.

“One thing you’ll never see me in is a manhunt,” Macron told France 5 television, according to a translation by The New York Times. 

The French president’s words follow a recent documentary that said 16 women have accused the French actor of harassing, groping or sexually assaulting them. Macron has faced backlash from women’s rights groups for his comments in which he also said he is a “big admirer” of Depardieu.

Paris’ most famous wax museum removed a statue of Depardieu Monday after the negative reactions of visitors following the allegations against the actor, the museum said, per the AP. The French culture minister, Rima Abdul Malak, also announced a disciplinary procedure focused on his Order of the Legion of Honor.

Macron criticized Malak, saying she overstepped “a bit too much,” according to the Times.

“Am I going to start stripping the Legion of Honor from artists or officials when they say things that shock me?” Macron said, per the Times. “The answer is no.”

“You can accuse someone — maybe there are victims, and I respect them, and I want them to be able to defend their rights,” he added. “But there is also a presumption of innocence,” he said.