The Gisele Pelicot case shocked not only France, but also the whole world. The woman was drugged by her husband for almost a decade, after which he and other men sexually abused her. Apart from the woman's long-time partner, all those convicted in the first instance were convicted 50 other perpetrators.
The deadline for submission is December 30 appeal regarding. Yet 17 people submitted such applicationswho were sentenced in the middle of this month.
France. 17 perpetrators of the attack on Gisele Pelicot file appeals
The victim's husband – 72-year-old Dominique Pelicot – stated through his lawyer that He will not appeal against the 20-year prison sentence for repeatedly giving his wife drugs, abusing her and allowing dozens of men to have sex with her while she was there she was unconscious.
Attorney Beatrice Zavarro emphasized that her client he pleaded guilty and he doesn't want to expose his wife to “further suffering”. – (My client – ed.) found that this decision (of the court – ed.) is consistent with the position he constantly maintained during the trial, i.e. he never considered Gisele Pelicot his enemy – she added and emphasized that this should end his thread in the case.
However, the man will have to appear at subsequent hearings as a witness.
The case of Gisele Pelicot. “We were not aware that she did not consent.”
The men who decided to appeal include: Charly Arbo – currently 30 years old – who was just over 20 years old when committing the crimes. He was sentenced in the first instance 13 years imprisonment for abusing Gisele Pelicot on at least six occasions.
Apart from him, a construction worker submitted the same applications Simone Mekenese (now 43) and a nurse Redouane El Farihi (now 55) – both were sentenced to respectively nine and eight years in prison.
Many of the men stated that they had contacted the victim's husband and came to the Pelicot home for meetings, but Dominique “manipulated” themthen encouraged the use of women while they were unaware that Gisele did not consent to this.
Emmanuel Macron thanks Gisele Pelicot. “She faced it with her head held high”
Although injured there is no obligation participation in the proceedings, her lawyer Stephane Babonneau said during a press conference that Gisele Pelicot “will come face to face with those who filed appeals.”
– He's not afraid this, but she would definitely prefer the whole matter to be over, he emphasized.
Gisele Pelicot herself has previously stated that she could have remained anonymous, but decided to become a public figure because she wanted it this way help other victims sexual abuse.
– Victims are often ashamed, but we are not the ones who should be ashamed. The perpetrators should be ashamed of themselves – she pointed out. French President Emmanuel Macron he thanked the woman for “facing this challenge with her head held high in the name of justice.”
Under French law, new trials will have to take place in the next 12 months.