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French woman Gisele Pelicot says police uncovering alleged mass rape organized by husband "saved her life"

'It's unbearable': French woman testifies in case of husband, 50 men accused of raping her

Guardian

French woman’s ‘world fell apart’ when told of alleged rapes by men invited by husband

Dominique Pélicot, 71, the French man charged with drugging his wife and allowing dozens of men to rape her over a ten-year period, said Tuesday, "I am a rapist." He also said he "regret[s]" his actions and asked his wife, daughter, and grandchildren for forgiveness.

Reuters

The New York Times

Referring to the other men on trial for raping his wife Gisèle, who was unaware the entire time as she was sedated, Pélicot said "they all knew" what they were doing. The 50 codefendants, incuding a nurse, a fireman, and a journalist, are aged 26-74.

Le Monde.fr

Pélicot claimed all the other men committed rape voluntarily, with over a dozen of them admitting guilt. However, one defense attorney argued that Pélicot manipulated his clients by making it seem like they were filming consensual sex.

During the trial, Pélicot was also accused of drugging and/or taking nude photos of his daughter, grandchildren, and two daughters-in-law. When he denied drugging his daughter, she stood up in the court room and shouted "You're lying!"

The Telegraph

Pélicot cited childhood trauma as reasons for his actions later in life, including that his parents "assaulted each other," that he was raped when he was nine, and that he witnessed a rape while working as a construction apprentice. He said, "You're not born this way, you become it."

Gisèle, who now lives with HIV after contracting it from one of the men, also spoke to the court. She said, "it’s difficult to listen to Mr Pélicot because in 50 years, I never imagined for a second that he could rape," adding she "had full trust in that man."

France Mass Rape Trial: Dominique Pelicot Says He's a 'Rapist,' Wants Forgiveness

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France Mass Rape Trial: Dominique Pelicot Says He's a 'Rapist,' Wants Forgiveness

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