Dominique Pelicot “has taken note of this decision”, announces his lawyer after his conviction
The main accused was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with a two-thirds security sentence, and has not ruled out an appeal, said his lawyer Béatrice Zavarro.
What you need to know
“We will take advantage of the ten-day period granted to us to find out whether we will appeal this decision.” Béatrice Zavarro, Dominique Pelicot’s lawyer, assured, Thursday, December 19, that her client does not rule out appealing his 20-year prison sentence during of the Mazan rape verdict. Follow this day live on France 3 Provence-Alpes.
- Dominique Pelicot found guilty. The main accused in this extraordinary affair, Dominique Pelicot, is declared “guilty of the acts of aggravated rape against his ex-wife Gisèle Pelicot. And of attempted aggravated rape and aggravated rape against Cilia M. (the wife of Jean-Pierre M.)”specifies the president. He is sentenced to 20 years in prison.
- Jean-Pierre M. also convicted. The one who is presented as the “disciple” of Dominique Pelicot is sentenced to twelve years of criminal imprisonment (the prosecution had requested 17 years). He was responsible for multiple rapes of his own wife, some in the company of Dominique Pelicot, over a period of five years.
- Refusal of closed session. From the start of the trial, Gisèle Pelicot and her lawyers opposed the closed session so that “shame changes sides”. Videos with crude and evocative titles were broadcast, causing embarrassment for the public present at the hearings. The president of the Vaucluse criminal court decided on September 20, unilaterally, to partially establish a closed session. Gisèle’s lawyers refused. Even the lawyer of the main accused, Dominique Pelicot, was in favor of the broadcast of these images. Finally, the closed session was lifted on September 30.
- Gisèle Pelicot became spokesperson and icon of sexual violence. “A feminist heroine”according to the New York Times. Throughout the world, Gisèle Pelicot’s face has become a symbol of victims of sexual violence. A woman “destroyed” but who faced her attackers with dignity. Despite herself, she became the heroine of this trial, supported by feminists around the world. Graphically stylized on the walls to talk about chemical submission, violence against women and rape culture.
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