Gisèle Pelicot returns to court for appeal by man convicted of raping her

Gisèle Pelicot was met with applause as she returned to court on Monday for the appeal of a man convicted of raping her in a mass trial that shook France last year.

Husamettin Dogan was one of 51 men convicted in December of sexually assaulting Pelicot between 2011 and 2020 while she was drugged. He is the only one to have appealed.

Dogan, who was sentenced to nine years in prison, denies he intended to rape Pelicot.

He argues that he was deceived by Dominique Pelicot — Gisèle Pelicot's ex-husband — who drugged his wife and offered her to strangers online before filming the assaults.

The 44-year-old construction worker went on trial on Monday in Nimes, southern France, on charges of aggravated rape by administering substances that impair judgment or self-control. The offence carries up to 20 years in prison.

Dogan remains free pending the verdict. Prosecutors had sought 12 years at his first trial, but the court imposed nine.

On the opening day of his appeal trial, Dogan said he "never wanted to rape this lady, whom I respect," adding that "I never knew she was drugged".

Global attention

In the original proceedings, Dominique Pelicot was sentenced to 20 years in prison, while sentences for the other defendants ranged from three to 15 years imprisonment.

The trial drew international attention after Gisèle Pelicot waived her right to anonymity. The court sided with her despite several defendants demanding a closed hearing. The evidence included stomach-churning homemade videos of the abuse that Dominique Pelicot filmed in the couple’s home in the small Provence town of Mazan and elsewhere.

"I have nothing to be ashamed of. Shame must change sides," she said on the trial’s opening day. After the verdict, she declared she had "never regretted that decision" and thanked supporters who gave her the "strength" to return to court each day.

Dominique Pelicot admitted his role and did not appeal his 20-year prison sentence. He is expected to testify during the appeals hearing after being implicated by Dogan.

Of the 51 convicted men, 17 initially filed appeals. Most of those were withdrawn and only Dogan pursued his appeal.

While last year’s trial stretched over four months, the retrial is scheduled to last no more than four days, with a verdict expected on Thursday.

On Monday, Pelicot entered the courthouse under police escort, smiling as she shook hands with supporters who expressed their gratitude and encouragement.

Civil proceedings in Avignon are due in November to settle damages owed to the main victim and her family, to be paid jointly by the convicted men.

Pelicot has since become a symbol of the fight against sexual violence and the shocking case spurred a national reckoning over rape culture in France.

In July, Pelicot was given France's highest award, being named knight of the Legion of Honour ahead of France's Bastille Day.