A survivor of a mass rape case, Gisèle Pélicot, 72, is set to return to court this week as one of her rapists has appealed his conviction. Husamettin Dogan, 44, received a nine-year prison sentence for his involvement in the assault. During the initial trial, he claimed he believed the assault was consensual.
The builder, originally from Turkey, engaged with Gisèle’s husband, Dominique Pélicot, 71, on an online chatroom where Dominique, known as The Beast of Avignon, indicated that his wife was interested in meeting an “Arab” man. Following this interaction, Dogan went to the Pélicot residence, where he sexually assaulted Gisèle, believing it to be a game.
Dogan claimed he mistook Gisèle for being unconscious and justified his actions as part of a role-play. The trial revealed that a total of 51 men participated in the disturbing case, including individuals from various professions such as a soldier, firefighter, and nurse. Gisèle was repeatedly drugged and raped by strangers at her home over a nine-year period.
Her ex-husband, Dominique Pélicot, who orchestrated the abuse, was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He orchestrated a scheme where men were invited to the couple’s home to engage in sexual acts with Gisèle without her consent. The men involved in the trial were from diverse backgrounds, including civil servants, healthcare workers, military personnel, and journalists.
The court proceedings unveiled a pattern of abuse orchestrated by Dominique Pélicot, targeting his wife for sexual exploitation. Despite some of the assailants claiming ignorance or misunderstanding of the situation, they were found guilty of aggravated rape and other charges. The verdicts ranged from five to 15 years of imprisonment, reflecting the severity of the crimes committed.