The trial of the 51 men before the Vaucluse criminal court is now on hold, awaiting the return of Dominique Pelicot, the main defendant. For the time being, the trial is scheduled to resume on Monday, but uncertainty remains

Will the Mazan rape trial resume on Monday? Or will it be adjourned or interrupted for a longer period? Everything depends on the state of health of Dominique Pelicot, at the heart of the case.

Absent since the beginning of the week due to intestinal pains and a possible urinary infection, Dominique Pelicot, accused of drugging his wife before raping her and handing her over to other men, was hospitalized on Tuesday. A medical certificate had stated that he was fit to appear in court.

A “catastrophe” foretold

Back in court on Wednesday, his lawyer asked for a new dispensation after finding him lying in the courthouse gaols, complaining of vomiting and malaise. He was then re-hospitalized and a forensic examination was ordered.

After hearing the experts and an investigator on Thursday September 12, the court decided to suspend the hearing, with a possible resumption on Monday, depending on the accused’s state of health. If Dominique Pelicot is present, the proceedings will resume, including the testimony of his two sons and his own hearing.

If not, the president of the Vaucluse criminal court, Roger Atara, may suspend the hearings for one or more days, until the septuagenarian is fit to appear again. Should his unavailability continue, the trial could be postponed, an eventuality described by the court president as a “catastrophe”.