French appeals court revisits shocking Gisele Pelicot rape case

Less than a year after the landmark verdict in a drugging and rape case that shocked France and made Gisèle Pelicot a global symbol of resilience, she returned to court on Monday to attend the appeal of one of the men convicted in the case.

Husamettin Dogan, sentenced to nine years in prison last December, continues to deny any intent to rape Pelicot. He claims he was deceived by her ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, who allegedly drugged his wife and arranged for strangers to assault her while filming the acts.

Dogan, a 44-year-old construction worker, is now on trial in Nîmes, southern France, facing charges of aggravated rape involving the administration of substances that impair a person’s judgment or self-control — a crime that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years. He remains free while awaiting the appeal verdict. Prosecutors had initially sought a 12-year sentence during his first trial, but the court handed him nine.

Pelicot arrived at the courthouse wearing a pink jacket, escorted by police and greeted by supporters with cheers and applause. Many called out “Thank you!” as she smiled and shook their hands.

During the initial proceedings, Pelicot’s ex-husband and 50 other men were convicted of sexually assaulting her between 2011 and 2020 while she was under chemical control. Dominique Pelicot received a 20-year prison sentence, while the others were given sentences ranging from three to fifteen years.

The original trial drew international attention when Gisèle Pelicot successfully argued against a closed hearing, insisting the proceedings remain public. Evidence presented included disturbing homemade videos of the assaults, filmed by her ex-husband in their home in Mazan and other locations.

“I have nothing to be ashamed of. Shame must change sides,” Pelicot declared at the trial’s opening. After the verdict, she said she never regretted her decision to face the court publicly and thanked her supporters for giving her the strength to continue.

Since then, Pelicot has become a prominent advocate against sexual violence, and her case has fueled a broader national conversation about rape culture in France.

Dominique Pelicot, who admitted his crimes, did not appeal his 20-year sentence and is expected to testify during Dogan’s retrial after being implicated in his defense.

Of the 51 men originally convicted, 17 filed appeals, but all except Dogan later withdrew.

Unlike the four-month-long initial trial, this retrial is expected to last just four days, with a verdict due on Thursday. Civil proceedings in Avignon are scheduled for November to determine compensation owed to Gisèle Pelicot and her family by the convicted men.