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.
President Emmanuel Macron faced mounting criticism during his visit to Mayotte. Residents, grappling with the devastating aftermath of Cyclone Chido, demanded more aid and attention from the French government.
French court convicts Dominique Pelicot and 50 others in a harrowing case of spousal abuse, drugging, and rape spanning nearly a decade. Victim Gisele Pelicot hailed for her courage, hopes the verdict sparks change for all survivors of sexual violence.
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.
The Highest court in France has upheld a corruption and influence peddling conviction against former President Nicolas Sarkozy, brushing aside his appeal.
The Cour de Cassation, France's highest court, upheld the conviction of former President Nicolas Sarkozy for corruption and influence peddling.
U.S. judge ruled on Friday in favour of Meta Platforms' WhatsApp in a lawsuit accusing Israel's NSO Group of exploiting a bug in the messaging app to install spy software allowing unauthorized surveillance.
The Kremlin on Monday rejected Turkish media reports which suggested that Asma al-Assad, the British-born wife of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, wanted a divorce and to leave Russia.
Altay Prefecture in China's Xinjiang is emerging as a popular winter tourism destination, with a long snow season and well-developed ski resorts. The region offers a range of winter activities, drawing both local and international visitors.
A Chechen refugee’s challenge to France’s restrictive MICAS orders highlights growing concerns over civil rights. Despite no criminal record, Khaled faces limits on movement amid heightened security for Strasbourg’s Christmas market. Courts call the measures excessive.
Negotiations at COP29 in Baku face a critical impasse as sharp divisions over climate finance and fossil fuel commitments threaten progress.
"Come up with the video in its full form," demands the COP29 CEO, Elnur Soltanov, in an exclusive interview with AnewZ. The chief executive has broken his silence on the claims he was using his position to organise potential fossil fuel deals.
Rome’s iconic Trevi Fountain is back to its full glory after months of restoration. The historic landmark, one of the city’s top tourist attractions, reopened following cleaning and repair work that began in October.
Japan, in collaboration with Kyoto University and Kajima Corp, is developing a ground-breaking lunar habitat using artificial gravity, aiming to make space colonies a reality by the 2030s.
With over 90 stations adorned with breathtaking works of art, Stockholm's subway is a must-see destination for art lovers and curious travelers. Spanning seven decades of creativity, the artwork in the metro system dates back to the 1950s and continues to inspire new generations of artists.
French court convicts Dominique Pelicot and 50 others in a harrowing case of spousal abuse, drugging, and rape spanning nearly a decade. Victim Gisele Pelicot hailed for her courage, hopes the verdict sparks change for all survivors of sexual violence.
The "Meet Ancient Egypt: Mummy, Life, and Death" exhibition at Beijing's 798 Art Zone showcases 123 ancient Egyptian artifacts, offering a fascinating glimpse into the rich history and spiritual practices of this ancient civilization.
U.S. judge ruled on Friday in favour of Meta Platforms' WhatsApp in a lawsuit accusing Israel's NSO Group of exploiting a bug in the messaging app to install spy software allowing unauthorized surveillance.
The Kremlin on Monday rejected Turkish media reports which suggested that Asma al-Assad, the British-born wife of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, wanted a divorce and to leave Russia.
Altay Prefecture in China's Xinjiang is emerging as a popular winter tourism destination, with a long snow season and well-developed ski resorts. The region offers a range of winter activities, drawing both local and international visitors.
A Chechen refugee’s challenge to France’s restrictive MICAS orders highlights growing concerns over civil rights. Despite no criminal record, Khaled faces limits on movement amid heightened security for Strasbourg’s Christmas market. Courts call the measures excessive.
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