Sentence Increased in Sole Appeal of Landmark French Rape Case
AVIGNON, FRANCE - The only appeal in the case of the mass rapes of Gisèle Pelicot has concluded with a one-year sentence increase for the defendant, Husamettin Dogan, bringing his punishment to a total of[originalsentencelength+1year-[originalsentencelength+1year-[originalsentencelength+1year-[originalsentencelength+1year-data not provided in source text, needs to be researched]. The ruling, delivered today, closes the appeals phase of a case that gripped France and reignited national debate surrounding sexual assault and “rape culture.”
The case centered on years of abuse perpetrated by Pelicot’s ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, who drugged his wife and subjected her to repeated rapes, often involving dozens of other men while she was unconscious.Last year, a court in Avignon convicted 51 men for their involvement in the crimes, a verdict widely hailed as a watershed moment for victims of sexual violence. The trial, which began six years after the rise of the #metoo movement in France, brought to light the extent of systemic abuse and the challenges faced by survivors seeking justice.
Dogan, 44, argued during the appeal that Dominique Pelicot had misled him into believing Gisèle was a willing participant in an erotic game, claiming he was told she desired to engage in sexual acts with strangers while feigning sleep. Despite his defense, the court upheld the conviction and increased his sentence.
In the initial trial, Dominique Pelicot received a 20-year sentence, while the remaining 49 men where convicted of aggravated rape and sexual assault, receiving sentences ranging from 3 to 15 years. An additional man was sentenced to 12 years for raping his wife and coercing her into participating in similar acts orchestrated by dominique Pelicot. Seventeen defendants initially filed appeals, but all but Dogan subsequently withdrew their requests.
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