The high-profile trial of Dominique Pelicot, a 71-year-old French man accused of drugging his wife and orchestrating her rape by dozens of men over a decade, has been abruptly suspended due to Pelicot’s hospitalization. The defendant, who was scheduled to testify on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, was rushed to the hospital complaining of severe stomach pain.Judge Roger Arata has ordered a medical-legal examination of Pelicot and stated that the trial may be suspended for several days pending the defendant’s recovery. Pelicot’s lawyer, Béatrice Zavarro, revealed that her client had been experiencing health issues since Friday, including ‘intestinal pains and a urinary tract infection,’ but had not received treatment over the weekend.This unexpected development has caused frustration for the victim, Gisèle Pelicot, and her family, who were hoping to hear Pelicot’s testimony. The trial, which began last week, involves 50 other men accused of participating in the rapes, with some claiming they believed the encounters were consensual.Experts have described Pelicot as having a ‘split personality,’ acting as a ‘caring’ grandfather and father by day, but transforming into a ‘violent’ rapist by night. The prosecution alleges that Pelicot drugged his wife with high doses of Lorazepam and allowed at least 70 strangers, recruited through online forums, to rape her while he watched and recorded the events.The case has shocked France and gained international attention, raising questions about consent and the use of drugs in sexual abuse. If convicted, Pelicot and the other defendants face up to 20 years in prison for aggravated rape.
Key points
- The trial of Dominique Pelicot, accused of orchestrating his wife’s rape, has been suspended due to his hospitalization.
- Pelicot was scheduled to testify but was rushed to the hospital with severe stomach pain.
- The case involves 50 other men accused of participating in the rapes over a decade.
- If convicted, Pelicot and the other defendants face up to 20 years in prison for aggravated rape.
Contradictions👾Some sources report that Pelicot is 71 years old, while others state he is 72.
👾The number of men involved in the case varies slightly between reports, with some mentioning 50 and others stating 51.
