Lawyer Christophe Bruschi after the verdict, in Avignon. He told feminist activists that they were “hysterics” and “knitters”.
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The last day of the trial described as historic for the Mazan rapes, Thursday, will certainly remain forever marked by the declaration of Gisèle Pelicot, sober, dignified. But for a few hours, it was also the behavior of a lawyer for a convicted person which spread on social networks, sparking an avalanche of indignation. Faced with women who came to support Gisèle Pelicot, he called them “hysterics” and “knitters”… However, he fully assumes responsibility.
The context, first. Lawyer Christophe Bruschi leaves the courthouse in Avignon with a smile. The reason? Like all 51 accused, his client was found guilty. But this retiree is the only one who was not convicted of rape but of “sexual assault”. He received three years in prison, two of which were suspended. And above all, as this 69-year-old man has already spent nine months in preventive detention, he is one of the few to have emerged free from the court. Hence the satisfaction of his lawyer, who decided to show his joy.
The scene, then. Christophe Bruschi “plays provocation pure and simple”, reports France 3. Hilariously, he seems to want to challenge feminist activists, standing in front of them. Some say “Get out!”
He replies and says: “I have a message from my client to all these hysterical people, these ill-mouthed people, the message is: shit!” Then he will say: “You are hysterical, knitters.”
Then a young man retorts that he is “a shame for the world, for France”, while others shout “but shut up!” The lawyer responds this time with: “You want to hit me too?” Then the police exfiltrate him.
A few minutes later, reports “Le Parisien”, Christophe Bruschi tried to justify himself. “We are here to provoke and provoke debate. I did my job. Do you find it normal that these people ask for 20 years for everyone when most people, apart from the husband, are poor people? And to specify that his “knitters” referred to the women who watched the guillotine during the French Revolution, knitting quietly while waiting “for the heads to fall”.
Registered with the Lyon bar, specialist in criminal law, Christophe Bruschi describes himself as “a local lawyer”. He had never pleaded in such a high-profile case.
Contacted by France 3, the lawyer who caused controversy admits that his outbursts were “perhaps a bit to put on a show”.
“The embodiment of machismo”
But above all, he persists and signs and says he is right in his boots. “At that point I walk out of court, I don’t see why I would be forced to keep a low profile when I am extremely happy with the court’s decision. These women are hysterics. Provoking them a little, these kinds of people, that doesn't bother me. I accept that people may not agree with me, but we must do so in a non-aggressive manner. I wasn't talking about all women. But there were half a dozen of them in front of me.”
In addition to the torrent of outraged reactions on social networks, France 3 underlines that Christophe Bruschi also scandalized many of his fellow lawyers. Some also want him to be punished.
“These comments are scandalous. I hope that the President will sanction it. He openly attacked feminists. It’s amazing, it’s unacceptable,” thundered Marseille lawyer Eric Lanzarone. And to conclude: “There, he defends a cause, that of anti-feminists, and not a client. He is the embodiment of machismo. It is a medieval position to call them knitters. I am ashamed of these comments. I measure the distance that separates us from equality between men and women.
