Depardieu no-show in French court, turns up in Montenegro

PARIS The actor Gerard Depardieu failed to appear in court in Paris on Tuesday to face charges of driving under the influence. Instead, he is expected to have dinner this evening in Montenegro with the leader of the country's ruling party, Milo Djukanovic. Depardieu no-show in French court, turns up in Montenegro According to the local media in Podgorica, he traveled to Montenegro "to consider buying real estate". The French-born actor, who has been the focus of public attention since his decision to take Russian citizenship "in protest over the taxes for the rich", admitted that he drove his scooter under the influence of alcohol. Had he shown up in court today he would have been handed a lower fine and some penalty points. But Depardieu could now be brought before a criminal court and receive a fine of EUR 4,500 and possibly a prison sentence of up to two years. The 64-year-old international movie star was arrested briefly in Paris in November, when he fell off his scooter. According to reports, he was drunk at the time. On Monday, Depardieu was in Switzerland for the Golden Ball ceremony, after spending the weekend in Russia. His acceptance of Russian citizenship was "the final blow" in a public conflict between the actor and the French government over tax rates for the rich, news agencies reported. Vladimir Putin and Gerard Depardieu (Beta/AP) Tanjug

Depardieu no-show in French court, turns up in Montenegro

According to the local media in Podgorica, he traveled to Montenegro "to consider buying real estate".

The French-born actor, who has been the focus of public attention since his decision to take Russian citizenship "in protest over the taxes for the rich", admitted that he drove his scooter under the influence of alcohol.

Had he shown up in court today he would have been handed a lower fine and some penalty points.

But Depardieu could now be brought before a criminal court and receive a fine of EUR 4,500 and possibly a prison sentence of up to two years.

The 64-year-old international movie star was arrested briefly in Paris in November, when he fell off his scooter. According to reports, he was drunk at the time.

On Monday, Depardieu was in Switzerland for the Golden Ball ceremony, after spending the weekend in Russia.

His acceptance of Russian citizenship was "the final blow" in a public conflict between the actor and the French government over tax rates for the rich, news agencies reported.