Gisèle Pelicot's alleged rapists and the public shown video evidence in French trial that has shocked the world
Nine videos and several photographs of the abuse of Gisèle Pelicot has been shown in a courtroom and an adjoining public chamber in France.
In short:
A court has screened videos of the abuse against Gisèle Pelicot to the public.
Ms Pelicot had called for the videos, which were recorded by her ex-husband and submitted as evidence in the trial, be shown to the public.
A French judge ruled that the videos could be made public last week to challenge several co-defendants who denied knowing she was unconscious during their actions.
WARNING: The details in this story may be distressing to some readers.
She's a small, unassuming, 72-year-old grandmother but across the world her name has become synonymous with heroism and bravery.
Last month Gisèle Pelicot told a courtroom in the south of France how she was unknowingly drugged and raped by dozens of men, orchestrated and filmed by her now ex-husband Dominique Pelicot.
She waived her right to anonymity as an alleged victim of sexual assault, instead insisting that the shame must shift from victim to abuser.
Now, the accused have come face-to-face with their alleged abuse after a public court screened videos of the abuse on Friday, to challenge several co-defendants who denied knowing she was unconscious during their actions.
The judge had nine videos and several photographs of the abuse of Ms Pelicot shown in the courtroom and an adjoining public chamber, involving seven of the 50 men accused alongside her ex-husband.
Since the start of the trial on September 2, the courtroom in the southern city of Avignon has been reserved for members of the court, the parties involved and the media.
People attend a demonstration in support of rape victims and Gisele Pelicot in Paris.
Members of the public have been assigned to an adjoining room where proceedings are screened live.
Present in the courtroom herself, Gisele Pelicot looked at her telephone during the hour and a half of screenings, while her ex-husband in the dock covered his eyes and several of his co-defendants watched themselves on the screen or stared at the floor.
They were screened to challenge testimonies from some of the accused that they were unaware the victim was unconscious.
After the images were shown on Friday, however, most stuck to their defence.
They had earlier said they had thought they were taking part in a sex game.
Dominique Pelicot appears at the courthouse in Avignon.
After the screenings, one said he had "no memory" of the event.
Another said he was "terrorised" by Mr Pelicot even if it "doesn't look like it" in the images.
A third said he had not heard Ms Pelicot snoring or had "hoped she would wake up at the end".
'She will find meaning in her suffering'
Ms Pelicot had called for the videos, recorded by her ex-husband and submitted as evidence in the trial, be shown to the public.
Reversing an earlier decision to keep the screenings behind closed doors, judge Roger Arata accepted a request by her lawyers for the public to be present when the images were shown.
Since the beginning of the trial, the 72-year-old has been praised for her courage and composure, admired for speaking in a calm and clear voice and allowing that her full name be published — uncommon under French law for victims in rape trials.
In doing so, she has become a symbol of the fight against sexual violence, prompting thousands of people across France to hold rallies supporting her and messages of solidarity to flow in from around the world.
And her insistence that the videos be shown to the public speak to her wish that trial serve as a national example, one of her lawyers told The Associated Press.
"For Gisele Pelicot, it is too late. The harm is done," said her lawyer Stephane Babonneau.
"But if these same hearings, through their publicity, help prevent other women from having to go through this, then she will find meaning in her suffering.".
The alleged assaults took place between July 2011 and October 2020, mainly in the couple's home in Mazan, a village of 6,000 people in the southern region of Provence.
Most of the suspects face up to 20 years in jail for aggravated rape if convicted.
Eighteen of the 51 accused are in custody, including Mr Pelicot, with 32 others also charged.
ABC/wires
By：https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-11/public-shown-video-evidence-in-gis%C3%A8le-pelicot-rape-trial/104460736(责任编辑：admin)
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