Gerard Depardieu on drink-drive scooter charge in Paris

Actor Gerard Depardieu is expected to appear before a French court today, charged with drink-driving.

He was arrested in November after a scooter accident in Paris, in which he was found to be three times over the alcohol limit.

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%.

He became a Russian citizen at the weekend, receiving a Russian passport.

But on the eve of his scheduled court appearance he was in Switzerland, for the annual Ballon D'Or football award ceremony.

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.

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.

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.

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".

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.