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Kevin Spacey said he was confident of his innocence despite the accusations that he was being pursued in America and Britain
US actor Kevin Spacey said he will “voluntarily” appear in a British court hearing five counts of sexual assault against men in Britain.
Spacey, the star of the popular American beauty movie “American Beauty,” made a statement to Good Morning America on Tuesday, saying he was confident he could prove his innocence.
It was initially thought that the United States should hand Spacey over to Britain for trial.
Five charges will be brought against the 62-year-old actor, after a review of evidence obtained by the London Metropolitan Police, following complaints filed between 2005 and 2013.
“I greatly appreciate the (prosecution’s) statement in which he carefully reminded the media and the public that I deserved a fair trial, and that I am innocent until proven otherwise,” Spacey said in his statement.
“While I am disappointed by their decision to proceed (at trial), I will voluntarily appear in Britain as soon as possible and defend myself against these accusations, confident that my innocence will be proven.”
The first two charges relate to the alleged sexual assault of the actor Spacey on a man, now in his forties, in London in March 2005, and there is also an allegation of assault on another man, now in his 30s, who was assaulted in London in August 2008.
Oscar winner
The serious charge of a sexual offense, of pushing a person into a full-fledged sexual relationship without their consent, also relates to the alleged second victim.
A third man, now in his 30s, alleges that he was assaulted in Gloucestershire in April 2013.
While Britain’s public prosecutor authorized charges to be brought against Spacey last week, it is understood that no formal charges have been brought against him as he is not currently in the country.
The two-time Academy Award-winning actor Spacey has starred in films such as Seven, Driver Baby, as well as the Netflix series House of Cards, from which he was excluded after the accusations surfaced.
He was also excluded from the movie “All the Money in the World”, which was re-filmed after being replaced by another actor.
Spacey won several Oscars, including Best Actor for his role in “American Beauty” in 2000, and Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Your Jugular Suspects” in 2006.
The actor was also artistic director of the Old Vic theater in London between 2004 and 2015, during which time the alleged sexual assaults took place.