Nîmes, FRANCE: Frenchwoman Gisele Pelicot, whose ex-husband recruited dozens of strangers on-line to sexually assault and rape her whereas drugged, arrived in courtroom Monday (Oct 6) for an attraction trial triggered by the bid of 1 man who stated he “by no means supposed” to rape her.
Fifty-one males, together with her former husband Dominique Pelicot, have been convicted after an preliminary months-long trial that resulted in December final yr and turned Gisele Pelicot into a global icon.
Husamettin Dogan, 44, is the one defendant to have filed an attraction and maintained it.
“I by no means supposed to take action,” he stated, when requested by the presiding decide whether or not he accepted the cost towards him.
“I’m right here as a result of I by no means needed to rape this girl, whom I respect,” he added.
Gisele Pelicot, 72, waived her proper to anonymity and her dignified conduct all through the trial made her a feminist hero and a logo of the combat of ladies towards male sexual violence.
She arrived to applause on the courtroom within the southern metropolis of Nimes, wearing a pink jacket and along with her son Florian – one of many three youngsters she had with Dominique Pelicot – by her aspect.
She warmly shook fingers along with her supporters, however didn’t make any assertion.
Dogan, who suffers from arthritis and isn’t in custody, made a extra discreet entrance.
Hiding behind a cap, face masks and darkish glasses, he walked up the courtroom’s steps, leaning on a strolling stick, an AFP video journalist stated.
