France. Dominique Pelicot convicted of raping and drugging his wife Gisele

Prosecutors demanded the maximum penalty for Pelicot, i.e. 20 years' imprisonment, and the court in Avignon agreed to their demand. On Thursday, he and the other 50 defendants in the case were found guilty. Most of the 50 co-defendants were previously charged with raping an unconscious woman and face sentences ranging from four to 18 years in prison.

“Many” of the co-defendants “received sentences lower than those requested by prosecutors,” CNN reported while reporting on the trial. “Cyrille D, Lionel R. and Boris M. were sentenced to 8 years in prison, although the prosecutor requested sentences of 12 years in prison,” we read. Feminist activist Sirine Sehl, quoted by CNN, said activists were disappointed with the “lenient” sentences prosecutors had requested.

SEE ALSO: He ordered the rape of his wife. The co-defendants face sentences of up to 18 years in prison

Gisèle Pelicot, Pelicot's ex-wife, appeared for the reading of the verdict and – as the AP emphasized – remained facing the defendants. People supporting Gisèle Pelicot gathered in front of the courthouse. “Thank you for your courage,” reads the inscription on one of the banners.

The trial regarding the rapes organized by Dominique Pelicot was shocking France. Gisèle Pelicot demanded that the trials be open to the public in order to break the shame and silence associated with victims of sexual violence and to help other women who were given the “rape pill.”

SEE ALSO: Gisèle Pelicot in the Women of the Year list