Rock star convicted of killing girlfriend withdraws from festivals after backlash

New York — Rock musician Bertrand Cantat, who was convicted of killing his actress girlfriend Marie Trintignant, 15 years ago, has pulled out of the festivals he was scheduled to appear in this summer amid a growing wave of protests.

54-year-old Cantat, the leader of former rock band Noir Desir, released a solo album last year and recently started touring. After several dates were cancelled by organisers following complaints from women's groups and individuals, Cantat said he took the decision "to put an end to all polemics."

Cantat was sentenced to eight years in prison and served four after beating Trintignant to death during a dispute in a hotel room in Lithuania in 2003. The actress' mother, film director Nadine Trintignant, said in an interview: "Shameful, indecent, disgusting that he would go on stage." 

WATCH THAT INTERVIEW HERE:

Cantat said he understands that "being on festival lineups this summer can pose a problem, hence my decision to withdraw." Read that full statement here.