Verdict Approaches in Landmark Mazan Sexual Assault Trial
Dominique Pelicot and 50 coaccused face severe charges of drug-facilitated sexual violence, with the trial spotlighting systemic issues of consent and manipulation.
- Dominique Pelicot, accused of orchestrating a decade-long scheme of drug-facilitated sexual assaults on his ex-wife, faces a potential 20-year prison sentence.
- Fifty coaccused, charged with aggravated rape or sexual assault, claim they were misled into believing the acts were consensual libertine scenarios.
- Defense lawyers argue that many accused were victims of Pelicot’s manipulation, calling for acquittals and criticizing the trial’s lack of individual case consideration.
- The trial has drawn global attention as a symbol of systemic violence and has reignited debates on consent, sexual violence, and societal accountability.
- The court is expected to deliver its verdict by December 20, potentially setting a precedent for addressing cases involving chemical submission and coercion.
Le Figaro 
Le Point 
Libération 
Le Journal du Dimanche 
L'Humanité 
Ouest-France 
Courrier International 