This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20937700

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Gerard Depardieu on drink-drive scooter charge in Paris Depardieu fails to attend court on drink-drive charge
(about 11 hours later)
Actor Gerard Depardieu is expected to appear before a French court today, charged with drink-driving. Gerard Depardieu has stayed away from a Paris court where he faces a drink-driving charge, days after taking Russian citizenship in a tax row.
He was arrested in November after a scooter accident in Paris, in which he was found to be three times over the alcohol limit. The actor pleaded guilty earlier to riding a scooter while three times over the alcohol limit in November.
Last month, Mr Depardieu announced his decision to move to Belgium to avoid the French government's plan for a top tax rate of 75%. Last month, Depardieu announced his decision to move to Belgium to avoid a new French top tax rate of 75%.
He became a Russian citizen at the weekend, receiving a Russian passport. The film star received his Russian passport at the weekend but retains his French citizenship.
But on the eve of his scheduled court appearance he was in Switzerland, for the annual Ballon D'Or football award ceremony. On the eve of the court hearing, Depardieu was in Switzerland for the annual Ballon D'Or football award ceremony.
The BBC's Paris correspondent, Christian Fraser, notes that the actor's failure to appear before magistrates could mean the case being referred to a criminal court, which tends to be less lenient.
WineWine
Mr Depardieu has already pleaded guilty to the charge of drink-driving, which carries a maximum fine of 4,500 euros (£3,660; $5,880) and a sentence of up to two years in prison, along with six penalty points. The charge of drink-driving carries a maximum fine of 4,500 euros (£3,660; $5,880) and a sentence of up to two years in prison, along with six penalty points.
On 29 November, he lost control of his scooter in Paris and crashed. A breathalyser test showed he had a blood alcohol rate of 1.8g per litre, more than three times the French legal limit of 0.5g.On 29 November, he lost control of his scooter in Paris and crashed. A breathalyser test showed he had a blood alcohol rate of 1.8g per litre, more than three times the French legal limit of 0.5g.
Mr Depardieu, who owns several vineyards, once admitted to drinking up to six bottles of wine a day, says the BBC's Paris correspondent Christian Fraser. Depardieu, who owns several vineyards, once admitted to drinking up to six bottles of wine a day.
If the actor fails to appear before magistrates, his case could be referred to the criminal court, who tend to be less lenient, our correspondent adds. Depardieu's tax row with the French authorities began last year after President Francois Hollande said he would raise taxes to 75% for those earning more than 1m euros (£817,400).
Mr Depardieu's tax row with the French authorities began last year after President Francois Hollande said he would raise taxes to 75% for those earning more than 1m euros (£817,400).
The film star, renowned for his roles in Cyrano de Bergerac and more recently as Obelix, announced in early December that he would move to Belgium, accusing France's Socialist government of punishing "success, creation and talent".The film star, renowned for his roles in Cyrano de Bergerac and more recently as Obelix, announced in early December that he would move to Belgium, accusing France's Socialist government of punishing "success, creation and talent".
French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault branded his decision to move abroad as "shabby and unpatriotic".French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault branded his decision to move abroad as "shabby and unpatriotic".
The actor has developed close ties with Russia and during his visit at the weekend hugged President Vladimir Putin, who described him as a friend.The actor has developed close ties with Russia and during his visit at the weekend hugged President Vladimir Putin, who described him as a friend.
Russia has offered him a flat tax rate of 13% if he stays in the country for more than half the year. On his trip to Russia he travelled to the central region of Mordovia, which has invited him to make his home there.Russia has offered him a flat tax rate of 13% if he stays in the country for more than half the year. On his trip to Russia he travelled to the central region of Mordovia, which has invited him to make his home there.
Mordovia is best known for its Stalin-era gulag prison camps.Mordovia is best known for its Stalin-era gulag prison camps.
French taxmanFrench taxman
But the actor said on Monday he was not turning his back on his country.But the actor said on Monday he was not turning his back on his country.
"I have a Russian passport, but I remain French and I will probably have dual Belgian nationality," Mr Depardieu told French sports channel L'Equipe 21. "I have a Russian passport, but I remain French and I will probably have dual Belgian nationality," he told French sports channel L'Equipe 21.
Under France's civil code, dual citizenship is permitted but it is unlawful to be stateless. A person must obtain another nationality before giving up French citizenship.Under France's civil code, dual citizenship is permitted but it is unlawful to be stateless. A person must obtain another nationality before giving up French citizenship.
Mr Depardieu also rejected claims that his decision to move abroad was to avoid paying taxes. Depardieu also rejected claims that his decision to move abroad was to avoid paying taxes. "If I'd wanted to escape the taxman, as the French press say, I would have done it a long time ago."
"If I'd wanted to escape the taxman, as the French press say, I would have done it a long time ago."
He made the remarks in Zurich where he was attending the Ballon d'Or ceremony in the company of Fifa boss Sepp Blatter.He made the remarks in Zurich where he was attending the Ballon d'Or ceremony in the company of Fifa boss Sepp Blatter.