A court in southern France has increased by a year the jail term of the only man who challenged his conviction for raping Gisèle Pelicot.
The 72-year-old retired grandmother was drugged unconscious by her then-husband Dominique for over a decade and raped by dozens of men he recruited on the internet.
Husamettin Dogan, 44, had argued he was innocent, despite graphic video footage shown in court of him penetrating a motionless Gisèle Pelicot.
But the court of appeal in Nîmes rejected his argument and extended his original nine-year jail term to 10 years. He was convicted of aggravated rape last December, during a trial in which 50 other men were convicted.
Public prosecutor Dominique Sié had asked the court to impose a 12-year term on Dogan, who claimed to have been trapped by Dominique Pelicot. The prosecutor emphasized Dogan's refusal to acknowledge responsibility for a massive act of destruction that had stripped Gisèle of her humanity.
Despite being held in pre-trial detention ahead of last year's trial, he has not served time in jail since then.
Police tracked down the men who raped Gisèle due to videos filmed by Dominique Pelicot during the assaults.
Of the 51 men given jail terms, 17 initially lodged appeals but withdrew shortly afterwards, leaving Dogan as the sole remnant in pursuing a legal challenge.
Dogan denied the intent of rape, claiming ignorance of Gisèle’s drugged state, which is a common defense among the convicted. However, the retrial, judged by a jury and professional judges, focused heavily on the disturbing evidence presented.
Gisèle testified, I am the only victim, emphasizing that she never gave consent for the acts committed against her.
Dogan’s defense attempted to shift blame to Dominique Pelicot, who openly admitted to having manipulated the situation, recruiting men for the abuse.
Gisèle Pelicot, whose case has garnered international attention, expressed deep concern for other victims who lack the significant evidence she possessed, asserting their right to not feel ashamed of their situations.
In a heartfelt address, she called for empathy and healing within victims' communities, stating, I hope one day we can find each other again. I have become an icon against my will. This case remains a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by many in seeking justice against sexual violence.
