Historic Mazan Rape Trial Nears Verdict After Four Months of Testimony

51 men, including Dominique Pelicot, face charges of aggravated rape in one of France's largest and most disturbing sexual violence cases.

Dominique Pelicot, the central figure in the trial, is accused of drugging his wife Gisèle over a nine-year period and orchestrating her repeated rape by dozens of men while she was unconscious.
The trial, held in Avignon, involves 51 accused men, with verdicts expected on December 20; sentences could range from four to 20 years if convicted.
Defense attorneys argue that many of the accused were manipulated by Pelicot and lacked intent to commit rape, citing alleged misrepresentation of the situation as consensual by the orchestrator.
Gisèle Pelicot, who insisted on a public trial to confront 'rape culture,' has become a symbol of resilience and advocacy against sexual violence in France.
The case has highlighted systemic failures in addressing sexual violence, including delayed justice and societal attitudes toward consent and accountability.