Nîmes, FRANCE: Frenchwoman Gisele Pelicot, whose ex-husband recruited dozens of strangers on-line to sexually assault and rape her whereas drugged, arrived in court docket Monday (Oct 6) for an attraction trial triggered by the bid of 1 man who stated he “by no means meant” to rape her.
Fifty-one males, together with her former husband Dominique Pelicot, had been convicted after an preliminary months-long trial that led to 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 meant to take action,” he stated, when requested by the presiding choose 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 woman, 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 an emblem of the combat of girls towards male sexual violence.
She arrived to applause on the court docket within the southern metropolis of Nimes, wearing a pink jacket and along with her son Florian – one of many three kids she had with Dominique Pelicot – by her facet.
She warmly shook arms 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 court docket’s steps, leaning on a strolling stick, an AFP video journalist stated.
