Lower than a yr 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 enchantment 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 development 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 “Thanks!” and different phrases of encouragement.
Within the unique proceedings, Pelicot’s ex-husband and 50 different males have been convicted of sexually assaulting her between 2011 and 2020 while she was under chemical submission. Dominique Pelicot was sentenced to twenty years in jail, whereas sentences for different defendants ranged from three to fifteen years imprisonment.
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 along with her.
Based on the French newspaper Le Monde, which lined the trial, Gisèle Pelicot at one level stated in courtroom that the explanation she needed the hearings to occur publicly was in order that “all girls who’re victims of rape can say to themselves: ‘Madame Pelicot did it, so we are able to do it.'”
“I do not need them to really feel ashamed anymore. It isn’t for us to really feel disgrace — it is for them [sexual attackers],” she stated. “Above all, I am expressing my will and willpower to alter this society.”
Gisèle Pelicot stated on the trial’s opening day that “disgrace should change sides.” After the decision, she declared she had “by no means regretted that call” to push for public proceedings and thanked supporters who gave her the “energy” 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 house within the small Provence city of Mazan and elsewhere.
A nationwide reckoning
Pelicot has since turn out to be a logo of the battle towards 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 take care of consent.
Dominique Pelicot admitted his function and didn’t enchantment his 20-year jail sentence, now last. 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 have been withdrawn and solely Dogan pursued his enchantment.
Whereas final yr’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.
