The main defendant in the abuse trial in Avignon has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for aggravated rape. Dominique Pelicot repeatedly drugged his then-wife Gisèle for almost ten years, abused him and had him raped by dozens of strangers. He confessed to the crimes in court. The verdict against the 72-year-old is not yet final.
The ex-husband's lawyer, Béatrice Zavarro, said after the announcement that her mandate had taken note of the verdict. It has not yet been decided whether he will appeal.
The prosecution has sometimes called for long sentences for co-defendants
In the mammoth trial in southern France, in addition to the main defendants, 50 other men were on trial – most of them for rape. The court found only one of them guilty of attempted rape, while two were accused of sexual violence.
There was a lot of crowd at the verdict (current photo). | © Clement Mahoudeau/AFP/dpa
The court convicted everyone else of aggravated rape. It imposed prison sentences of between 3 and 15 years on the 50 men. A handful of those convicted are released because of the time in custody they have already served. Overall, the court's sentence was well below the demands of the public prosecutor's office, which had claimed up to 18 years in prison.
Gisèle Pelicot has become a role model (current photo). | © Lewis Joly/AP/dpa
Co-prosecutor Antoine Camus said: “Everyone contributed to this monstrosity, to this woman’s martyrdom, to their own extent, at their level.” The men are said to have been between 21 and 68 years old at the time of the crime. Dominique Pelicot sought contact with them on an online platform.
Possibly raped 200 times
A lot of police are on duty at the verdict (current photo). | © Lewis Joly/AP/dpa
Gisèle Pelicot's years of sexual abuse were uncovered by chance four years ago. Dominique Pelicot was arrested in September 2020 after filming women up their skirts in the supermarket. Police officers examined the man's computer. He documented the abuse of one of his wives in hundreds of photos and videos.
There were many activists in front of the court early in the morning (current photo). | © Lewis Joly/AP/dpa
Gisèle herself did not notice the attacks because of the strong medication that her husband at the time secretly gave her. She believes that she has suffered around 200 rapes. Investigators also suspect a dozen other perpetrators, but they have not been identified.
Gisèle Pelicot has become a role model
The proceedings, which have been ongoing since September, have shaken up France. In an unusual move, Gisèle Pelicot decided not to let the trial take place behind closed doors. They have nothing to blame themselves for, emphasized the early seventy-year-old.
In just a few weeks, Pelicot became a role model and feminist icon. They wanted other abused women to gain courage from them, they said in court. “I want them to no longer feel shame.” It’s not us who should be ashamed, it’s them.”
