A French court finds Dominique Pelicot guilty of drugging and raping his wife for a decade, exposing shocking abuse. Victim Gisele Pelicot becomes a symbol of courage and resilience.
A panel of judges did not immediately issue a sentence. Prosecutors have demanded a term of 20 years in prison, in a case that has appalled the world and turned the victim, Gisele Pelicot, into a symbol of courage and resilience.
Prosecutors are also seeking terms of between four and 18 years for a further 50 defendants, almost all of whom are accused of raping the comatose Pelicot. The verdicts are due to be handed down by the court in southern France on Thursday.
Dominique Pelicot, 72, pleaded guilty to the charges during the three-month trial and apologised to his family.
Many of his fellow defendants, whom he had met online, denied rape, saying they thought they were taking part in a consensual sex game orchestrated by the couple and arguing that it wasn't rape if the husband approved.
Pelicot has denied misleading the men, who came from all walks of life, saying they knew that his now ex-wife was unconscious and unaware of what they were doing to her.
Gisele Pelicot, 72, waived her right to anonymity during the trial and demanded that horrifying videos of the serial abuse, which were recorded by her former husband, should be seen in court, saying she hoped this would help other women speak up.
The trial has triggered protest rallies around France in support of Gisele, and spurred soul searching, including a debate on whether to update France's rape law, which at present makes no mention that sex should involve consent.
Gisele stared down her abusers with steely determination in the packed courtroom day after day, scoffing at any claim that she might have been a willing participant.
"I've decided not to be ashamed, I've done nothing wrong," she testified in October. "They are the ones who must be ashamed," she said.
Electric vehicles increasingly prominent as world shifts to clean energy, sustainability, while Türkiye follows changing trends in auto industry.
In a stunning reversal, House Speaker Mike Johnson and team have taken a 180-turn, and voted in favor of advancing President Donald Trump’s agenda.
Speaker Mike Johnson was forced to punt a critical vote tonight to advance President Donald Trump’s agenda, according to multiple lawmakers and aides familiar with the plans.
Conservative commentator, popular podcaster, ex-secret service agent Dan Bongino has always had a lot to say about the bureau.
A sweeping blackout has hit Chile, stranding commuters, paralyzing countless businesses and leaving most of the South American nation without electricity.
A recent discovery has revealed that ancient artifacts from the Treasure of Villena were crafted using metal from meteorites, offering new insights into early metalworking techniques in the Iberian Peninsula.
Polish startup Clone Robotics has unveiled Protoclone, the world’s first anatomically accurate humanoid robot, featuring artificial muscles, bones, and joints that enable lifelike movements.
Berlin, February 21, 2025 – German citizens will head to the polls on Sunday, February 23, for a snap general election after the coalition government collapsed late last year.
U.S. President Donald Trump has wasted no time in his second term, making sweeping changes across domestic and foreign policy in just four weeks. His administration has aggressively reshaped federal agencies, redefined trade policy, frozen foreign aid, and taken bold steps in global diplomacy.
In Eastern Switzerland, caves are being produced by torrential meltwater as it carves out tunnels in a glacier. And keen adventurers are taking advantage of the potentially dangerous and short-lived beauty before they completely disappear.
New York, February 24, 2025 – Roberta Flack, the iconic singer known for her soulful renditions of classics such as “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” has died at the age of 88. Flack passed away Monday at her home, surrounded by family, according to a statement from her publicist.
The 2025 SAG Awards honoured top performances in film and television, with Timothée Chalamet, Demi Moore, and Kieran Culkin among the key winners, celebrating outstanding talent across drama and comedy.
Anthony Ricco, one of Sean "Diddy" Combs' defense attorneys, has filed to step down from the legal team ahead of his upcoming human trafficking trial, citing an inability to continue effectively representing the hip-hop mogul.
Apple has removed its advanced data protection tool for UK users after the government demanded access to encrypted data, raising concerns about user privacy and security.
Electric vehicles increasingly prominent as world shifts to clean energy, sustainability, while Türkiye follows changing trends in auto industry.
In a stunning reversal, House Speaker Mike Johnson and team have taken a 180-turn, and voted in favor of advancing President Donald Trump’s agenda.
Speaker Mike Johnson was forced to punt a critical vote tonight to advance President Donald Trump’s agenda, according to multiple lawmakers and aides familiar with the plans.
Conservative commentator, popular podcaster, ex-secret service agent Dan Bongino has always had a lot to say about the bureau.
A sweeping blackout has hit Chile, stranding commuters, paralyzing countless businesses and leaving most of the South American nation without electricity.
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