French court moves forward into sentencing of mass rape trial

The trial of Dominique Pelicot and 49 other defendants accused of orchestrating and participating in the mass rape and abuse of Pelicot’s ex-wife, Gisele Pelicot, has entered its final phase in Avignon, France.

Prosecutors began presenting sentencing requests on Monday, following weeks of harrowing testimony and evidence.

Dominique Pelicot, the chief defendant, admitted to drugging Gisele over nearly a decade, from 2011 to 2020, and arranging for dozens of strangers to abuse her in their home in Mazan, a small town in southern France.

Prosecutors have stated that Pelicot meticulously documented these acts through photos and videos, which were uncovered after his arrest for unrelated offenses.

The case has drawn national and international attention, further igniting calls for stronger measures against sexual violence in France.

On Saturday, tens of thousands joined demonstrations across the country demanding increased protections for women.

Chile’s parliamentary president lauded Gisele Pelicot’s bravery, describing her as “an ordinary citizen who has taught the whole world a lesson.”

The 49 co-defendants, aged 26 to 74, include men from various walks of life. Many claimed they were misled by Pelicot into believing the abuse was consensual role-play.

Thirty-three defendants argued they were not in their right minds when they participated, a claim rejected by court-appointed psychological experts.

Prosecutors are expected to request the maximum sentence of 20 years for Dominique Pelicot and potentially severe penalties for other defendants who were repeat participants or orchestrated similar crimes.

Among them, Jean-Pierre M., accused of adopting Pelicot’s practices to abuse his own wife on multiple occasions, faces grave charges.

Gisele Pelicot’s legal team stated the impact of the crimes on her and her family, including her three children and stepchildren. Her lawyer, Antoine Camus, called for “truth and justice” to be delivered for Gisele and her loved ones.

The trial has pointed out systemic failures in addressing violence against women and sparked broader conversations about the culture of accountability in France.

The sentencing phase, which began Monday, is expected to last three days. Defense lawyers will respond later this week, with a final verdict anticipated by December 20.