Lower than a 12 months after the landmark verdict in a drugging and rape trial that shook France and turned Gisèle Pelicot into a world icon, she was greeted with applause Monday as she arrived at a courthouse for the attraction of a person difficult his conviction.
Husamettin Dogan, sentenced to 9 years in jail final December, denies he meant to rape Pelicot. He argues that he was deceived by Dominique Pelicot, Gisèle Pelicot’s ex-husband, who drugged his spouse and supplied her to strangers on-line earlier than filming the assaults.
The 44-year-old building employee went on trial Monday in Nimes, in southern France, on costs of aggravated rape by administering substances that impair judgment or self-control, an offense carrying as much as 20 years in jail.
He stays free pending the decision. Prosecutors had sought 12 years at his first trial, however the courtroom imposed 9.
Sporting a pink jacket, Pelicot entered the courthouse below police escort, smiling as she shook fingers with supporters who shouted “Thank you!” and different phrases of encouragement.
Within the authentic proceedings, Pelicot’s ex-husband and 50 different males had been convicted of sexually assaulting her between 2011 and 2020 whereas she was below chemical submission. Dominique Pelicot was sentenced to twenty years in jail, whereas sentences for different defendants ranged from three to fifteen years imprisonment.
Gisele Pelicot arrives to an appeals courtroom set to listen to the case of a person difficult his conviction, lower than a 12 months after the landmark verdict in a drugging and rape trial that shook France, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025 in Nimes, southern France.
Lewis Joly / AP
The trial drew worldwide consideration after Gisèle Pelicot opposed a closed listening to, a requirement made by a number of defendants. The courtroom sided together with her.
“I don’t want them to feel ashamed anymore. It’s not for us to feel shame — it’s for them [sexual attackers],” she stated. “Above all, I’m expressing my will and determination to change this society.”
Gisèle Pelicot stated on the trial’s opening day that “shame must change sides.” After the decision, she declared she had “never regretted that decision” to push for public proceedings and thanked supporters who gave her the “strength” to return to courtroom every day.
The proof offered at trial included stomach-churning do-it-yourself movies of the abuse that Dominique Pelicot filmed within the couple’s residence within the small Provence city of Mazan and elsewhere.
A nationwide reckoning
Pelicot has since turn into a logo of the struggle in opposition to sexual violence and the surprising case spurred a nationwide reckoning over rape tradition in France. Her trial sparked protests throughout the nation, and a few demonstrators stated they hoped the case might catalyze modifications to sure French legal guidelines that cope with consent.
Dominique Pelicot admitted his position and didn’t attraction his 20-year jail sentence, now closing. He’s anticipated to testify throughout the appeals listening to after being implicated by the remaining defendant.
Of the 51 convicted males, 17 initially filed appeals. Most of these had been withdrawn and solely Dogan pursued his attraction.
Whereas final 12 months’s trial stretched over 4 months, the retrial is scheduled to final not more than 4 days, with a verdict anticipated Thursday.
Civil proceedings in Avignon are due in November to settle damages owed to the principle sufferer and her household, to be paid collectively by the convicted males.
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