An image of the scale of justice, a symbol of judiciary authority, as the Judiciary Service Commission (JSC) sacks a chief magistrate in Nasarawa state.

The 50 men accused in mass rape of Gisèle Pelicot are due for sentencing, next week. Their trial started in September, 2024 in Avignon. If found guilty, they face over 600 years in jail, collectively.

The defendants  are young, old, burly, thin, black and white, according to BBC. Among them are firefighters, lorry drivers, soldiers, security guards, a journalist and a DJ.

They allegedly raped the woman at the behest of her 72-year-old husband, Dominique Pelicot. He reportedly drugged her each session, for a decade with prescription sleeping pills.

Chilling details of mass rape of Pelicot

The details are chilling. Most of the men come from 50km (30-mile) radius of the Pelicots’ own village of Mazan.

Joseph C, 69, a retired sports coach and doting grandfather, faces four years in jail for sexual assault if found guilty. That is the most lenient sentence requested by prosecutors, BBC reports.

Another accused, Romain V, 63, faces 18 years in prison. He was HIV-positive at the time. He allegedly raped Mrs Pelicot six separate occasions without wearing protection.  His lawyer claimed he had treatment for several years and couldn’t have transmitted the virus. But he admitted all the charges against him and added that all 50 of his co-accused are guilty too.

Prosecutors say the alleged assaults were filmed for almost a decade by Dominique Pelicot. With the video evidence, the men could not deny ever visiting the Pelicots’ home. But the majority vehemently contested the charges of aggravated rape.

France’s rape law defines rape as any sexual act committed by “violence, coercion, threat or surprise.” It makes no reference to consent. Some defendants tried to exploit that. They argued that they were not aware that Gisèle was not in a position to give her consent.

Different excuses

The defendants in the mass rape of Pelicot gave different excused for their alleged action. Ahmed T, a 54-year-old plumber, said if he wanted to rape someone, not a woman in her 60s. Redouane A, aged 40, argued that if he meant to rape Gisèle he would not have allowed her husband to make videos.

Some said they were intimidated by Dominique Pelicot. In tears, Redouan E, told the court he was too scared of him to leave the bedroom. “Maybe you can’t tell from the videos, but I was really terrified!” he told judges.

Others claimed they were offered drinks spiked with drugs. They claimed they could not remember the encounter. But Dominique Pelicot denied ever drugging them.

According to some, Dominique Pelicot convinced them they were taking part in a sex game with a consensual couple. “They were put in a situation where they were scammed,” Christophe Bruschi, Joseph C’s lawyer, reportedly said. “They were taken for a ride.” But Dominique Pelicot denied it. He said he always made it abundantly clear that his wife was not aware of the plot.”They all knew, they cannot deny it.,” he said.

Rape in full conscience

The Pelicot case has made a lot of people to examine their past with some of the accused. Many have undergone tests to see if they too had been drugged like Gisèle.

Lawyers agreed that a common denominator could not be found among the defendants. But they all made the conscious choice of not going to the police.

Jacques C, 73, said he had considered it but “then life just carried on.” Patrice N, 55, said he “didn’t want to waste the whole day at the police station”.

In the early days of the trial, Gisèle Pelicot said, “They raped me in full conscience.” She disagreed that they were manipulated or intimidated. “They didn’t rape me with a gun to their heads…Why didn’t they go to the police? Even an anonymous phone call could have saved my life…But not one did,” she said after a pause. “Not a single one of them.”

By Julian Parker

Julian Parker is our accomplished International News Editor, bringing over 15 years of experience in global journalism. With a sharp analytical mind, Julian has a wealth of experience in coverage of crime cases as well as health stories. His career has taken him to various hotspots around the world, where he has reported on some critical health and crime issues. Passionate about uncovering underreported stories, Julian is committed to highlighting diverse perspectives and fostering a deeper understanding of affairs. He holds a degree in Journalism and has contributed to several prestigious media outlets, earning recognition for his insightful analysis and impactful reporting. Outside of work, Julian enjoys reading historical fiction, traveling to off-the-beaten-path destinations, and engaging in discussions about community and current events.

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