The retrial of Husamettin Dogan, the only man
appealing his conviction in the Gisele Pelicot rape case, opened on
Monday in Nîmes, southern France, drawing global attention to a case
that has become a symbol of the fight against sexual violence.
Gisele Pelicot,
72, waived her anonymity during the initial four-month trial that ended in
December, where 51 men, including her ex-husband Dominique Pelicot,
were convicted of repeatedly drugging and raping her over a nine-year period
while she was unconscious.
Arriving in court to applause from supporters,
Gisele appeared composed and accompanied by her son, Florian. Her
courage throughout the ordeal has made her a feminist icon in France and
beyond.
The current retrial focuses solely on Dogan, a
44-year-old construction worker who maintains that he was “trapped” by
Dominique Pelicot and “never intended to rape anyone.” Dogan, who
received a nine-year sentence, claims he was deceived into believing he
was taking part in a consensual encounter.
Dominique Pelicot,
sentenced to 20 years in prison, did not appeal and will appear only as
a witness. His lawyer said he remains in solitary confinement and
faces threats from other inmates.
During the initial trial in Avignon, several
co-defendants—aged 27 to 74—were found guilty of rape and sexual assault,
receiving sentences ranging from three to fifteen years in prison.
The retrial, expected to last up to four days,
will see Gisele testify again on Wednesday. Her lawyer said she “would have
preferred to avoid the ordeal” but recognises the global importance of
her case, which “challenges society to rethink gender relations and male
sexuality.”
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