France rape trial against 51 completed | The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

On November 26, 2024By Pranco

AVIGNON, France — A rape trial in France entered a new phase Monday as prosecutors began drafting the verdicts and sentences they want for dozens of men accused of raping Gisèle Pelicot while she was drugged and unconscious by her husband had been made.

After hearings that lasted almost three months, the trial of 51 defendants is beginning to end in the southern city of Avignon. Pelicot’s courage during the harrowing procedure has made her an icon, even outside France, for campaigners fighting against sexual violence.

On Monday, the Public Prosecution Service first focused on Dominique Pelicot, the man to whom 71-year-old Gisèle Pelicot was married for almost 50 years and who she said was a loving, caring husband.

But he has admitted that for years he mixed sedatives into her food and drinks so he could rape her and also invite dozens of strangers he recruited online to rape her.

Prosecutor Laure Chabaud asked the jury for the highest possible sentence for aggravated rape – twenty years – against the victim’s now ex-husband. Dominique Pelicot, who turns 72 this week, stared at the ground, one hand on the handle of his cane, as the prosecutor spoke.

“Twenty years between the four walls of a prison,” she said. “It’s both a lot and not enough.”

The court is expected to deliver its ruling on December 20.

Gisèle Pelicot, who waived her right to anonymity, has insisted that graphic footage filmed by her husband of the rapes be presented in court, showing that she was unconscious, inert and audibly snoring.

“This woman was you, Madame Gisèle Pelicot, an ordinary woman,” said prosecutor Jean-François Mayet, turning to her, praising her courage and her desire to let shame change sides so that it would affects rapists and not their victims.

Noting that Monday also marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, he said France “has a long road ahead for our society to change its view of rape culture.”

Gisèle Pelicot sat quietly, sometimes staring at the ceiling, as prosecutors detailed how Dominique Pelicot collected and carefully cataloged a library of 20,000 photos and videos of the abuse that spanned nearly a decade. The evidence he kept on hard drives, memory sticks and phones led investigators to dozens of the men he recruited, although about two dozen others have not yet been identified.

All but one suspect is on trial for aggravated rape or attempted rape. In previous testimonies, she said they treated her “like a rag doll, like a garbage bag.”

‘When did they ask about Madame Pelicot’s consent? Not before. Not during,” Mayet said.

Members of the public hoping to witness the proceedings and queuing outside booed some defendants as they entered the courthouse, shouting, “We recognize you” and “Shame on you.” Banners that activists hung opposite the building read ’20 years for each of them’ and ‘a rape is a rape’.

Gisèle Pelicot was greeted outside with cheers and applause.

“We feel like it does her good. And it does us good too, because she really makes a difference when it comes to feminism,” said Chantal Crémont, a supporter who came from western France.

She added: “It’s revolutionary in a way. When she says shame changes sides, it really does. She stands as a victim and turns the tables. It’s very important.”

Prosecutors described each of the rapes that Dominique Pelicot’s co-defendants allegedly committed against his unconscious wife with his help and rules, including not making loud noises and warming their hands first so as not to wake her.

Information for this article was contributed by Sylvie Corbet of The Associated Press.

Women demonstrate, one holding a sign reading ‘Stop Raping’, to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, as the trial of dozens of men accused of raping Gisele Pelicot while drugged and unconscious begins was made by her husband, continues. , Monday November 25, 2024 in Avignon, southern France. (AP Photo/John Leicester)

Women demonstrate to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women as the trial of dozens of men accused of raping Gisele Pelicot while she was drugged and rendered unconscious by her husband continues, Monday, November 25, 2024 in Avignon , South of France. (AP Photo/John Leicester)

FILE – Gisele Pelicot, who was allegedly drugged by her now former husband so he and others could attack her, arrives at the courthouse in Avignon, southern France, on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Lewis Joly, File)

FILE – Gisele Pelicot speaks to the media as she leaves the courthouse in Avignon, southern France, Thursday, September 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Lewis Joly, File)

Gisele Pelicot, right, arrives with lawyers Antoine Camus, left, and Stéphane Babonneau after a break on Monday, November 25, 2024, at the Palace of Justice in Avignon, southern France, after the prosecutor requested the highest possible sentence for aggravated rape, 20 years, against Gisèle Pelicot’s now ex-husband Dominique Pelicot. (AP Photo/Marine Lessprit)