French prosecutors have demanded prison sentences of up to 20 years for 51 men accused of participating in the repeated drugging and rape of Gisèle Pelicot over a decade. The trial, known as the Mazan rape case, has shocked the nation and gained global attention as a symbol in the fight against sexual violence.
The heaviest sentence requested is for Dominique Pelicot, Gisèle's former husband, who prosecutors say orchestrated the attacks by sedating her with tranquillisers and inviting strangers he met online to assault her.
The sentences range from four years for the least-involved defendant to 20 years, reflecting the severity of each accused’s role in the crimes.
"With your verdict, you will show that ordinary rape does not exist. That accidental or involuntary rape does not exist,” said Laure Chabaud, one of two public prosecutors at the criminal court in Vaucluse told the court.
“You will deliver a message of hope to victims of sexual violence. You will return a part of her stolen humanity to Gisèle Pelicot."
Tough sentences
The sentences requested are significantly higher than the average for rape cases in France, which was 11.1 years in 2022, according to the Ministry of Justice. Prosecutors argue that the gravity of the crimes in this case demands tougher penalties.
The prosecution laid out detailed sentencing requests after 11 weeks of hearings.
The lightest sentence, four years, was sought for Joseph C, aged 69, who was charged only with sexual assault. The remaining 49 defendants face sentences between 10 and 18 years, with one man who attacked Gisèle six times among those facing the harshest penalties.
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Dominique Pelicot has acknowledged his actions throughout the trial. "I am guilty of what I did... I ruined everything, I lost everything. I must pay," he said early on in the proceedings.
Prosecutors described Pelicot as the "mastermind" of the abuse, which occurred in the couple’s home in Mazan, southern France.
Wider impact
The case has drawn international attention, with Gisèle, now 71, becoming a powerful symbol of resilience. She refused to have the proceedings held behind closed doors, a rare choice in sexual violence cases in France.
She has since been hailed as an icon in the fight against violence against women.
“This trial challenges our society,” said Jean-François Mayet, one of the prosecutors. “It forces us to rethink relationships between men and women, and to understand and respect the emotions, desires, and needs of others.
