Dominique Pelicot trial: an intense emotional ordeal in Avignon

*Avignon, September 17, 2024 -* The Vaucluse criminal court convened today for a particularly harrowing case that has captivated the attention of many observers. Dominique Pelicot, aged 71, is on trial for extremely serious crimes, involving the prolonged sexual abuse of his wife, Gisèle Pelicot. Alongside Pelicot are fifty other individuals accused of aggravated rape, all linked to this tragedy.

A disturbing admission of guilt

From the outset of the trial, Dominique Pelicot expressed a disturbing admission of guilt. During his first interrogation, he publicly admitted to being “a rapist” and asserted that all the men involved were fully aware of his wife’s condition prior to their intervention. “They all knew her condition before they came. They all knew, they can’t say they didn’t,” he declared, illustrating the seriousness of the accusations against him.

Inhuman violence revealed

The victim, Gisèle Pelicot, fell prey to horrific assaults for almost a decade, between 2011 and 2020. Indeed, her husband allegedly drugged her without her knowledge with a powerful anxiolytic hidden in her food, rendering her unconscious during the rapes. A total of 92 violent sexual acts were recorded. Faced with these revelations, Dominique Pelicot expressed deep regret: “She didn’t deserve that,” while pointing out that Gisèle was in his eyes the opposite of his own mother, adding that he was happy with her despite her reprehensible acts.

A traumatic past exposed

The trial, which was interrupted several times due to the accused’s health problems, saw Dominique Pelicot finally fit to appear. In tears, he also shared traumatic experiences from his past, recalling sexual assaults suffered during his childhood and adolescence. “You’re not born a pervert, you become one,” he asserted, attempting to contextualize his actions while acknowledging that the incriminating video evidence was irrefutable.

Reactions and regrets

In response to her husband’s statements, Gisèle Pelicot expressed her dismay: “I never imagined for a second that he could have committed these acts of rape,” she revealed. Dominique Pelicot apologized to his wife, children and grandchildren, bitterly regretting his actions despite their unforgivable nature.

The trial continues, gradually revealing the scale of the tragedy and the emotional dimensions of this complex case. The days ahead promise to be rich in revelations and emotion, as the court continues its meticulous examination of the facts.