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.
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Gisèle Pelicot, whose testimony helped expose one of France’s most disturbing rape cases, returned to court on Monday for the appeal of one of the 51 men convicted of sexually assaulting her.
Giselle Pélicot, a 72-year-old survivor of a harrowing mass rape, has been named France's Person of the Year in a decision that reflects the nation's admiration for her courage and dignity. Her story moved millions, outshining political leaders in a survey conducted by the Odoxa-Mascaret Institute.
Tensions in the region remained high on Tuesday (10 March), as the United States and Iran exchanged increasingly sharp warnings, including threats over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
Iran's new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, was 'lightly injured,' an unnamed Iranian official said on Wednesday, as Tehran and Israel continued to exchange missile and drone strikes - all the latest updates throughout the day on AnewZ.
Global oil prices reached a four year high on Monday (9 March), surpassing $119 a barrel, as conflict in the Middle East rumbled on. Meanwhile, the Turkish Military said NATO air defence systems destroyed a missile fired from Iran towards the country.
U.S. President Donald Trump called his recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very good.” The two leaders spoke on Monday about the situation in Iran and other international issues.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 10th of March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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Robert Carradine, best known for his roles in The Long Riders, Revenge of the Nerds and the television series Lizzie McGuire, has died at the age of 71 following a years-long battle with mental illness.
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