Dominique Pelicot, the central figure in a high-profile mass r*pe trial in France, openly admitted his guilt on Tuesday, September 17.
The 71-year-old Pelicot, who took the stand for the first time since the trial commenced on September 2, confessed to being a rapist and implicated 50 other men he allegedly recruited to assault his then-wife while she was drugged.
“I am a rapist like the others in this room. They all knew they could not say otherwise,” Pelicot stated. He also expressed remorse for his ex-wife, Gisele Pelicot, saying, “She did not deserve this.”
Prosecutors have accused Pelicot of advertising sexual acts with his wife on a website and recording the abuse. The trial, being held in Avignon, includes 50 other men charged in connection with the case. So far, these men have not publicly addressed their charges.
Gisele Pelicot, now 72, had insisted on a public trial to bring to light the abuses she endured. Due to Pelicot’s declining health, his court appearances were delayed several times last week. His lawyer had previously mentioned that he intended to use the hearing to apologize to his family.
Dominique Pelicot is alleged to have administered anti-anxiety medications to Gisele from 2011 to 2020, during which time he r*ped her and enlisted numerous men from online connections to do the same.
Although Pelicot has admitted to the charges, Tuesday marked the first time he provided an extended account since the trial began. Gisele Pelicot was present in the courtroom, accompanied by Dominique’s brother, Joel.
Beatrice Zavarro, Pelicot’s lawyer, reported that he was suffering from a bladder clot and early stages of a kidney infection. However, a medical evaluation by the presiding judge confirmed that Pelicot was fit to appear in court, preventing further delays in the proceedings.
