French Rape Trial: Gisele Pelicot Confronts Defendant Who Denies Assaulting Her Despite Video Evidence

Gisele Pelicot was welcomed with applause upon her court arrival as the trial commenced.

In a French courtroom on Wednesday, 72-year-old Gisele Pelicot, who became a symbol of resilience in a shocking mass rape case, directly confronted Husamettin Dogan, the sole defendant still denying his involvement in her assault, stating firmly that she "never" consented to any sexual acts with him.

The case that horrified the international community involved Pelicot's former husband, Dominique Pelicot, who admitted to sedating her and inviting numerous strangers to sexually abuse her over a period spanning nearly ten years.

Last year, a French court sentenced Dominique Pelicot to the maximum 20-year imprisonment. While he and 49 other convicted men accepted their sentences, 44-year-old Dogan has maintained his innocence, compelling Gisele Pelicot to return to court.

During the initial trial, Pelicot gained widespread admiration for her powerful stance that perpetrators, not victims, should bear the shame of sexual violence.

Since the commencement of the current proceedings in Nimes, southern France, Pelicot has consistently been greeted with supportive applause upon her court arrivals.

When facing Dogan on Wednesday, Pelicot directly challenged him: "At what moment did I give you my consent? Never." She further urged him to "Take responsibility for your actions and stop hiding behind your cowardice."

Investigators discovered substantial evidence on Dominique Pelicot's hard drive, including 107 photographs and 14 videos documenting Dogan's 2019 visit to the couple's residence. The court viewed disturbing footage showing Dogan assaulting an unconscious Gisele Pelicot while whispering with her husband to avoid waking her.

Despite this compelling evidence, Dogan, who received a nine-year sentence for rape in the original trial, attempted to deflect blame onto Dominique Pelicot, claiming he felt "trapped" in the situation.

"I wanted to stop. At one point, I became very suspicious. I continued because he reassured me," Dogan testified, adding, "He's the manipulator, not me. He's the one who lured me there."

However, Dominique Pelicot contradicted this account on Tuesday, testifying that Dogan had willingly participated and was aware that Gisele would be "asleep" during the encounter, stating, "I never forced anyone."

According to her lawyer Antoine Camus, Gisele Pelicot would have preferred to focus on rebuilding her life but remains "astounded by the defendant's continued denial, despite the material evidence." Camus emphasized, "She needs to see this through to the end."

Police investigator Jeremie Bosse-Platiere challenged Dogan's claims during Tuesday's proceedings, referencing video footage that showed Dogan reacting when Gisele Pelicot moved slightly. "We understand that he is worried that his victim might wake up and freezes in a waiting position," Bosse-Platiere explained.

While Dogan alleges he spent only half an hour at the Pelicots' home, the investigator noted that video evidence proves he remained there for "at least three hours and 24 minutes."

Dogan faces a potential maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment, with the verdict expected on Thursday.