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.
Company
From daily life to major issues, discover the subjects that make up local society, such as justice, education, health and family.
France Télévisions uses your email address to send you the “Society” newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time via the link at the bottom of this newsletter. Our privacy policy
The sentences at the Mazan trial have been handed down, 20 years of criminal imprisonment for Dominique Pelicot, two thirds of which are security and 12 for his disciple JP M. But the other sentences are generally lower than the requisitions. When the verdict of the rape trial was announced, the crowd reacted strongly. Anger invaded the faces and took over.
“It’s insulting”
“What is that? Does that mean that we, women, are subhuman? Things will still have to change because we, women, are half the people. What does that mean, we women, we don’t count?”, says an annoyed Blandine Deverlanges when she hears 7 years, 5 years for certain co-defendants when heavier sentences had been requested.
Men who rape, with aggravating circumstances who will come out free? This is us spitting at the g…
Blandine Deverlanges, spokesperson for Dare to Feminism 84France 3 Provence-Alpes
Feminists among the crowd, angry at the reading of the sentences.
•
© 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 largely in below. It’s a shame for French justice. We were hoping for an awakening,” explainsValentine 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.
•
© Yasmine Boutaba / France Télévisions
Whereas in a crowd-related agitation, sentences are stated publicly. Reactions abound, voices are annoyed, anger floats. “8 years? But how do you want us to be happy? 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 when there is aggravated rape, in a meeting and sedation?“
For his part, Dominique Pélicot, Dominique Pelicot, the main accused in the Mazan rape trial, does not rule out appealing, indicated his lawyer Béatrice Zavarro.
