AVIGNON, FRANCE – French public prosecutor Laure Chabaud has requested a 20-year prison sentence for 72-year-old Dominique Pelicot, accused of orchestrating the rape of his unconscious wife by over 50 men across nearly a decade.
Chabaud delivered her closing arguments in a packed courtroom at the Tribunal de Grande Instance in Avignon on Monday, November 25, 2024, describing Pelicot as “fully responsible” for his actions and “incredibly dangerous.”
“This sentence would be long,” Chabaud stated, “but not enough considering the serious nature of these acts.”
She described Pelicot as a man capable of presenting himself as a devoted family man while perpetrating heinous crimes.
“He suffers from no mental illness, so he is fully responsible for the acts he committed,” she said.
The prosecutor’s remarks came as the trial approaches its conclusion.
The case has drawn widespread attention for its harrowing details and its implications for societal attitudes toward consent in France.
Pelicot admitted to drugging his wife, Gisele Pelicot, with a strong sedative and inviting strangers to their home in the southern village of Mazan to rape her.
Using online platforms, he coordinated these attacks with men from within a 25-mile radius.
Prosecutors said Gisele Pelicot was unaware of her husband’s actions, as she experienced unexplained health issues over the years, including abdominal pain and haemorrhoids, without knowing their cause.
“We can’t say in 2024 that because she didn’t say anything, she consented,” Chabaud emphasised during her statement.
Trial Sparks National Debate
The case has ignited a fierce debate in France regarding consent, victimhood, and societal norms.
Demonstrators rallied outside the courthouse, displaying posters with the message “20 years for all,” calling for maximum sentences for all 51 defendants.
Over the weekend, protesters in Paris marched with placards reading “shame must switch sides,” echoing a statement Gisele Pelicot made during her testimony.
Inside the courtroom, Dominique Pelicot sat with his head down and eyes closed as Chabaud detailed his actions.
His defence lawyer, Beatrice Zavarro, acknowledged the gravity of the sentence request, calling it “predictable” but “difficult” for her client to face.
The 50 other French men accused of rape in the case, many wearing masks to conceal their identities, also await sentencing.
Judges are expected to issue their decisions on December 20.
The proceedings have been marked by visceral testimony and public outcry. Chabaud addressed scepticism surrounding how the victim remained unaware of the assaults.
“For years, she tried to understand what was wrong with her,” Chabaud told the court.
“No analysis was able to determine the cause.”
As the trial draws to a close, the case continues to spark a national reckoning over issues of power, consent, and accountability.
Judicial observers and advocacy groups say the outcome could set a precedent for handling cases of such magnitude and brutality.
For now, all eyes remain on the French court as it prepares to deliver a long-awaited verdict.
