While all the sentences handed down for all the co-defendants are lower than the requisitions, the anger on the steps of the Avignon courthouse is great. Among the public, many women and feminists who have followed the trial since the beginning. They did not hide their disappointment.
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The sentences at the Mazan trial were handed down on Thursday, December 19. The court imposed 20 years of criminal imprisonment for Dominique Pelicot, two-thirds of which was security, and 12 years for his disciple Jean-Pierre M. But the other sentences are overall lower than the requisitions. When the verdict of the rape trial was announced, the crowd reacted strongly. Anger invaded the faces and took over.
@france3paca While several defendants from the Mazan trial, convicted, will emerge free from the hearing, the announcement of the sentences arouses a lot of anger live on the steps of the Avignon courthouse. Among the public coming from all over France, many women and feminists who have followed the trial from the start. Many did not hide their disappointment and anger. ???? Y. Boutaba / FTV #verdict #mazan #pelicot #colere #feministe ♬ original sound – France3Paca
“What is that? Does that mean that we, women, are subhuman? Things are still going to have to change because we, women, are half the people. What does that mean, we Women don’t count?”says, annoyed, Blandine Deverlanges when she hears 7 years or even 5 years for certain co-defendants when heavier sentences had been requested.
Men who rape, with aggravating circumstances who will come out free? It’s spitting in our face.
Blandine Deverlanges, spokesperson for Dare to Feminism 84at France 3 Provence-Alpes
Feminists among the crowd, angry at the reading of the sentences.
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© Yasmine Boutaba / France Télévisions
“The sentences, for the moment, are not up to par at all, neither the national average nor what we expected, obviously we expected at least the height of the requisitions and there, we are below, we are well below. It’s a shame for French justice. We were hoping for an awakening,” explains Valentine Rioufol, her purple beret screwed on her head, also a member of the Les Amazones d’Avignon collective.
At his side, in the crush and the crowd gathering at the court gates, Aurore believes that “It’s insulting the sentences we hear, we didn’t expect exemplary sentences, but we expected the media coverage to help. What does reparation mean to Gisèle for women?”
“Thank you Gisèle for your courage”, men are among the women to support Gisèle, her children and all women.
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© Yasmine Boutaba / France Télévisions
Whereas in a crowd-related agitation, sentences are stated publicly. Reactions abound, voices are annoyed, anger floats. “Eight years? But how do you want us to be happy? Do you know what the average sentence is for rape in France today? It’s 11 years! And there, they get less than the average sentence even though there is aggravated rape, gang rape and sedation?”
For his part, Dominique Pelicot, the main accused in the Mazan rape trial, has not ruled out appealing, said his lawyer Béatrice Zavarro.
