Film director Oliver Stone would not condemn Harvey Weinstein's sexual harassment allegations on Friday, saying "it's not easy what he's going through."
"I believe a man shouldn't be condemned by a vigilante system. It's not easy what he's going through, either," Stone said at the Busan International Film Festival about the swirl of sexual abuse claims against Weinstein, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Decades of accusations against Weinstein were first broke by the New York Times, and the revelations have encouraged others to come forward with their stories of mistreatment at his hands.
During the comment about the allegations against Weinstein, Stone said he wouldn’t comment on gossip and he’ll wait to see what happens, calling it "the right thing to do."
"I'm a believer that you wait until this thing gets to trial, I believe a man shouldn't be condemned by a vigilante system. It's not easy what he's going through, either," Stone said. "During that period he was a rival. I never did business with him and didn't really know him. I've heard horror stories on everyone in the business, so I'm not going to comment on gossip. I'll wait and see, which is the right thing to do."
After the New York Times reported about Weinstein settling multiple sexual harassment claims, the New Yorker reported on at least three other women who accused Weinstein of rape. Weinstein has also been recorded in a sting by New York police admitting to groping a woman.
Stone is known for his far-left politics and has expressed admiration for the late socialist Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez. Stone was also panned for a recent series of obsequious interviews of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Stone is a two-time Oscar winner for Best Director. Although he has never worked directly with Weinstein, he is currently teamed up with Weinstein Television working on a documentary about Guantanamo Bay.