A French court on Thursday sentenced Dominique Pelicot, the ex-husband of Gisèle Pelicot, to 20 years in jail.
Dominique Pelicot was found guilty of aggravated rapes and all other charges against him. Follow our liveblog for all the latest developments.
Pelicot, 72, was found guilty of aggravated rape after admitting to drugging and raping his former wife, as well as facilitating the abuse by other men over nearly a decade. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison, the maximum penalty for the charges.
At least 20 men, who Pelicot had recruited, were found guilty of raping Gisèle Pelicot. Many of the men involved in the case had varying degrees of acknowledgment for their actions, while some claimed they believed Gisèle had consented to the acts.
The trial, which shocked France, highlighted the disturbing ease with which Pelicot recruited his accomplices, including men from all walks of life, such as fathers and professionals.
The case has drawn significant public attention, turning Gisèle Pelicot into a symbol of courage for women fighting against abuse. The trial, which involved over 50 men, including Pelicot, has left lasting impacts on France’s fight against sexual violence. More than 20 other suspects remain at large as authorities continue their investigation.
