Former film producer Harvey Weinstein rushed to New York hospital for heart surgery

Disgraced movie producer Harvey Weinstein is currently hospitalized in New York for emergency heart surgery, the BBC learned from his lawyer Arthur Aidala on Monday, September 9, confirming a report from ABC News. According to the lawyer, the former producer, currently incarcerated at Rikers Island prison, was taken to Bellevue Hospital.

Harvey Weinstein, who has been accused of sexual harassment and assault by more than 100 women, had his rape and sexual assault conviction overturned in April by a New York appeals court. He remains in custody following a 16-year sentence last year in Los Angeles for other rape and sexual assault charges. The former movie mogul is due to be retried in New York soon.

The testimonies accusing him of harassment and sexual violence launched the MeToo movement, a global and unprecedented liberation of speech on sexist and sexual violence.