When the sentences of the 51 accused in the Mazan rape trial were announced, certain reactions were very virulent. Some believe that the length of prison sentences is too short.
In the wake of the outcome of the Mazan rape trial, angry reactions were expressed. Some find that the prison sentences are too light compared to the atrocity of the alleged acts.
Dominique Pelicot received 20 years in prison, “the maximum penalty provided for by French criminal law“, recalls Dominique Demoulin. “20 years in prison with a security sentence of two thirds, that means he will stay at least 13 years in prison.“
“For those who think that this is not enough, it must be remembered that there is a scale of penalties to be respected which corresponds to the seriousness of the facts.“, recalls our legal expert. “Despite the horror of the rapes, this is not an assassination.”
Dominique Demoulin also recalls that apart from Dominique Pelicot, practically all the accused received sentences lower than those requested by the prosecution. Six of the 51 accused even walked out of court free, because they had already served time in prison for a period which covered their sentences.
Sentenced to 20 years in prison in France, would Dominique Pelicot have received another sanction if he had been tried here? Not necessarily. “He would have received a relatively similar sentence, between 15 and 20 years in prison, depending on the aggravating circumstances retained or not.“, concludes Dominique Demoulin.
Mazan rapes of Mazan Dominique Pelicot Gisèle Pelicot
Belgium
