Rarely has a verdict sparked such excitement. This Thursday, even before the first light of dawn, dozens of journalists flocked to the Avignon courthouse. After fifteen weeks of hearings, the criminal court must deliver its verdict for Dominique Pelicot and the fifty men accused of having raped Gisèle, his wife, while she was drugged without her knowledge. This is expected around 9:30 a.m.
In an exceptional situation, an exceptional decision: the courthouse was closed to the public to contain the crowd. For the first time in many weeks, Gisèle Pelicot will not leave the courtroom under a guard of honor and applause. But the trial has crossed borders so much that this Thursday, journalists from the four corners of the globe are rushing to hear the epilogue of this extraordinary case. When the hearing opened on September 2, only 36 media outlets, including four foreign ones, were accredited to cover the event. Three months later, 180 media outlets, including 86 foreigners, are expected. For comparison, at the opening of the trial for the November 13 attacks in Paris, 141 media were accredited.
Extraordinary police presence
But the walls of the courtroom – as large as it is – are not expandable. Retransmission rooms have been set up for journalists. The main room will be reserved for the civil parties, Gisèle Pelicot, at the head, the fifty accused and their lawyers. As well as law enforcement. The police system has “been considerably strengthened”, specifies the court. In the room and around the court, nearly 200 police officers are mobilized for the day. It is above all a question of avoiding any incident because the tension could be high.
First in the courtroom. The majority of the accused deny the facts, claiming to have been unaware of committing rape. Around thirty lawyers pleaded for acquittal. Thirty-two defendants appear free: if they are convicted and a committal warrant is issued against them, they will be handcuffed to the bar and taken into custody. They will not even be able to hug their loved ones one last time, as is customary: the room being too small, one member of each accused family will have access to a broadcasting room.
Particular vigilance will also be required all around the court as several feminist demonstrations are planned throughout the day.
