Frenchman Tells Court, ‘I Am a Rapist Like Others in This Room’

Avignon, France — “I am a rapist,” asserted Dominique Pelicot, the 71-year-old man facing severe accusations of drugging his wife so he and numerous strangers could assault her. He made this statement in court on Tuesday after a brief hiatus due to illness. Using a cane for support, Pelicot entered the courtroom in the southern city of Avignon and took a seat in a blue armchair, which allowed him to participate comfortably in the proceedings.

Pelicot stated, “I am a rapist, like the others in this room,” acknowledging the presence of 50 other defendants who he allegedly recruited online to join in the assaults on his then-wife, Gisele Pelicot. He pointed out, “They all knew” that he was inviting them to take part in these horrific acts, adding, “She did not deserve this.”

The accusations against Pelicot detail a chilling pattern of behavior. He is alleged to have regularly administered anti-anxiety medications to Gisele over nearly a decade, from 2011 until 2020. While she was under the influence of these drugs and unconscious, Pelicot reportedly raped her. He also allegedly coordinated with numerous men he had met online to facilitate the assaults. Gisele has since stated that she spent years discussing bouts of unexplained amnesia with doctors, only to later learn that her husband had been drugging her during that time.

Pelicot’s actions eventually came to light by chance when police arrested him for taking unauthorized photos of women in a store. During the investigation, officers seized his digital devices and uncovered hundreds of explicit images documenting the abuse of Gisele. She attributed her rescue to the police’s intervention.

While Pelicot had already confessed to the charges, he spoke at greater length for the first time since the trial commenced on September 2. The court is also set to hear from Gisele Pelicot, who was present in the courtroom alongside her husband’s brother, Joel.

Gisele’s response to the case makes it clear how critical it is for her to have her voice heard. Meanwhile, Pelicot’s attorney, Beatrice Zavarro, informed the press that her client was grappling with “a clot in the bladder” and the onset of a kidney infection. However, a medical examination conducted by the presiding judge confirmed that Pelicot was fit to appear in court, thus preventing a delay in the hearings that could have lasted weeks or even longer.

The defense attorney mentioned that modifications would be applied to the “sequencing of the hearings” to accommodate Pelicot, allowing him regular breaks. Zavarro emphasized that his health issues were not an attempt to evade justice.

Pelicot’s testimony is expected to play a significant role in the cases of the 50 other defendants, whose ages range from 26 to 74. The court plans to address four of their cases in the upcoming days.

Some defendants have acknowledged that Pelicot informed them he was drugging his wife, while others contended they believed they were engaging in a consensual swinger scenario. The case has ignited widespread outrage throughout France, prompting thousands to rally in various cities last weekend, urging an end to sexual violence and expressing solidarity with Gisele.

Gisele Pelicot emphasized the importance of the proceedings and requested the trial be made public, aiming to raise awareness about the impact of drug-facilitated sexual abuse. “Thanks to you, I have the strength to see this fight through to the end,” she told supporters during a demonstration on Monday.