A 71-year-old Frenchman, Dominique Pelicot, has shocked the court in Avignon with his chilling confession during a high-profile trial. Pelicot, who has been accused of drugging his wife to enable assaults by himself and numerous other men, admitted his guilt in a dramatic courtroom statement on Tuesday.
Using a cane for support, Pelicot appeared frail but resolute as he addressed the court, acknowledging his role in the heinous crimes. “I am a rapist,” he declared, identifying himself among the 50 other defendants in the trial, whom he allegedly recruited through online channels to participate in the assaults.
Pelicot confessed that he had drugged his wife, Gisele Pelicot, with anti-anxiety medications from 2011 to 2020, rendering her unconscious while he and others assaulted her. Despite his admissions, Pelicot expressed remorse, stating, “She did not deserve this.”
The trial, which began on September 2, has already seen Pelicot admit to the charges. This marked his first extensive testimony, as he had been ill and unable to attend court for about a week. Medical evaluations confirmed that he was well enough to participate, despite his ongoing health issues, including a bladder clot and the onset of a kidney infection.
Gisele Pelicot, who was present in the courtroom alongside Dominique’s brother, Joel, has been vocal about her desire for public awareness of the case. She requested that the trial be open to the public to highlight the abuse and the misuse of drugs in such crimes.
The case has sparked widespread outrage across France, with thousands taking to the streets to demand justice and support for Gisele. Some defendants have claimed ignorance of the drugging, while others admitted they were aware of it. The trial continues to draw significant attention as it progresses, with four more cases expected to be heard soon.
Beatrice Zavarro, Pelicot’s lawyer, assured that the health issues were not a ploy to evade justice and that adjustments would be made to accommodate his condition while ensuring the trial proceeds.
