France gang rape case: Husband found guilty after a decade, know about this horrific case

In a case that has shocked the world, Gisele Pellicote's ex-husband Dominic Pellicote has been found guilty of repeatedly drugging and raping her over the course of almost a decade.

Dominique Pellicot, aged 72, was found guilty by a panel of judges in a French court on Thursday. The charges against him include repeatedly drugging and raping his wife, Gisele Pellicot, who was subjected to unimaginable horrors over many years.

Pellicott's actions included promoting and recording the abuse while inviting several men – many of whom he met online – to attack his wife while she was unconscious.

According to Reuters, a panel of five judges declared all 51 men on trial guilty.

In addition to Dominic Pellicott, fifty other men were charged, most of whom denied the charges. The court found 46 men guilty of rape, two guilty of attempted rape, and two guilty of sexual assault. One accused is still absconding and the trial is going on in his absence.

The presiding judge said the punishment would be revealed after all the verdicts were pronounced.

Pellicott pleaded guilty to the charges during his three-month trial and expressed remorse by apologizing to his family. Despite the admission of guilt, the case remains one of the most disturbing in recent memory, exposing the depth of betrayal and exploitation within the relationship.

Other defendants in the case

While Pellicott's guilt was clear, the remaining defendants in the case – about 50 men – have denied committing rape. These individuals, many of whom had been invited by Dominique Pellicot, claimed that they thought they were participating in a consensual sex game organized by the couple.

They argued that since Pellicote had approved of his actions, it could not have been rape. This loophole has given rise to widespread debate about consent, particularly in light of France's current legal framework, which does not explicitly address the requirement of consent in sexual acts.

Gisele Pellicot's testimony

Throughout the trial, 72-year-old Gisele Pellicot showed remarkable strength, refusing to remain anonymous and demanding that horrific videos of her abuse filmed by her ex-husband be presented to the court. By doing so, she hoped to raise awareness and encourage other victims to speak out. In her testimony, Pellicott made it clear that she did not consider herself a willing participant in these crimes.