at the Mazan rape trial, this defense lawyer insults activists after the verdict

JUSTICE – Scene of tension on the sidelines of the verdict in the Pelicot affair. A few minutes after the announcement of the conviction of Dominique Pelicot and the 50 co-defendants in the Mazan rape trial, the defense lawyers gradually left the Avignon courthouse this Thursday, December 19, giving rise to a particularly virulent exchange between a lawyer and activists who came to support Gisèle Pelicot.

The sequence captured by the cameras of several media, including RMC and The Dauphiné Libéréshows a defense lawyer, Me Christophe Bruschi, addressing the press and numerous activists with a particularly condescending tone.

« I love you ! », the lawyer began by responding ironically to the numerous invectives of the septuagenarian’s supporters. “ You are a shame for the world, for France », He addressed to him in response.

Stung, the lawyer explains in the middle of the insults that he “ a message from your customer » pour « all these hysterics ». « The message is: “SHIT:”… and with a smile! “, he blurted, before sending a “ go knitters ”, as a goodbye. An outing with misogynistic overtones since this insult was previously used to designate activists of the French Revolution.

The reason for his provocative behavior? The sentence pronounced by the Vaucluse criminal court against his client, Joseph C., the lowest of all since he received three years in prison, two of which were suspended, for “touching” on Gisèle Pelicot. A verdict experienced as a victory by the counsel of this 69-year-old accused, who was the only one to appear not for “ viol » or « attempted aggravated rape,” but for “ aggravated sexual assault.”

« Bad mouths »

According to a Mediapart journalist present in front of the Avignon courthouse, the lawyer also spoke of feminist activists in less than complimentary terms, calling them “ bad mouth ». Questioned about his insulting remarks by journalists, Christophe Bruschi persisted and signed by declaring: “ Who are these women interested in? », while expressing himself more calmly to try to justify his behavior, as you can hear in the video below.

The verdict of this historic trial caused a climate of great tension around the court this Thursday, December 19. When entering the courthouse to discover the verdict, one defendant, for example, showed himself with a middle finger addressed to the press and activists gathered outside the building.

Conversely, feminist activists who came to bring oranges to potential future convicts had their equipment confiscated by the police, keen to avoid excesses in and outside the courtroom.

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