Final statements before the verdict: dominique pelicot begs his family for forgiveness at the mazan rape trial

on monday, december 16, the 50 defendants in the mazan rape trial had their final opportunity to address the vaucluse criminal court in avignon before the judges retired to deliberate. the verdict, expected on thursday, will bring an end to this high-profile case centered on sexual violence.

dominique pelicot, the main defendant in the trial, used this moment to express his remorse and plead for forgiveness from his loved ones. “i deeply regret what i have done. i ask my family to accept my apologies,” he said with visible emotion. “i want them to know that i love them, even though their absence weighs heavily on me.”

in his statement, dominique pelicot also acknowledged the “courage” of his ex-wife, gisèle pelicot, whom he had drugged and delivered to dozens of men over the course of a decade. “she endured unfair insinuations of complicity. i commend her strength in facing this ordeal,” he said, praising his ex-wife, who has now become a symbol of resilience and the fight against sexual violence.

pelicot also extended his gratitude to his lawyer, béatrice zavarro, for her unwavering support throughout the grueling trial. “on multiple occasions, i thought about giving up. thanks to your guidance and humanity, you convinced me that it would have been an act of cowardice toward my family and irresponsible in light of the other defendants,” he shared.

A crucial moment for all defendants

on monday, each of the 49 other men present in court (the fiftieth is at large) also had the chance to speak, with a maximum of 15 minutes allocated per person. this marks the final stage before the court retires to render its judgment.

A trial that left its mark

over three and a half months of hearings, this extraordinary trial has captured attention well beyond france’s borders, once again highlighting the gravity of sexual violence and its devastating consequences. gisèle pelicot, often compared to historical feminist figures, has become a symbol of resistance in the face of unspeakable trauma.

as the court prepares to deliver its decision, the mazan rape trial will undoubtedly remain etched in judicial history and public memory as a pivotal moment in the fight against violence against women.