PARIS - French President Emmanuel Macron has praised the "dignity" and "courage" of Gisèle Pelicot after the trial of the gang rape accused that shocked France.
Macron wrote on X: "Thank you, Gisèle Pelicot. For this word of justice, in the name of which you have faced the ordeal with your head held high. For the women who will forever have a scout who will speak and fight. For all of us, because your dignity and courage have moved and inspired France and the world."
Dominique Pelicot, the ex-husband of Gisele Pelicot, was found guilty of aggravated rape and attempted rape on Thursday in one of the most serious trials France has seen.
He was sentenced to 20 years in prison after recruiting men on the internet to rape his wife in the family home after first drugging her by crushing sleeping pills into food and drink.
The abuse lasted nine years and Pelicot was only caught after a security guard at a shopping centre reported him to police in 2020 for taking photos of women under her skirt.
Law enforcement officers discovered thousands of images and videos on his laptop detailing the rape of his then-wife in the couple's bedroom by 72 men.
Fifty of them were arrested and all were found guilty of rape in a trial in the southern city of Avignon that ended on 19 December.
They were sentenced to prison terms ranging from three to 15 years. Some received suspended sentences and walked free from court.
Demonstrators expressed their anger at the short length of the sentences and Gisele Pelicot's three children said they were "disappointed".
In court in Avignon, southern France, Gisele Pelicot thanked her supporters after sitting through three and a half months of harrowing testimony detailing the abuse she was subjected to while unconscious.
"I think of the unrecognized victims whose stories often remain in the shadows," she said. "I want you to know that we share the same struggle." She added: "CI would like to express my deep gratitude to all those who have supported me during this ordeal. Your testimonies have overwhelmed me and given me the strength to go back every day and face those long days of hearings."
Dominique Pelicot's attorney said he sat in court "stunned" as the verdicts were read and sentencing was handed down.
She has not ruled out appealing the verdict. "We are not entitled to criticize the court's decision. The only way we can challenge it is to appeal," Béatrice Zavarro said.
"I reiterate that we will take advantage of the ten-day period that has been granted to us to make a decision and determine whether we should be presented to a jury of the people again in the coming months."
David Pelicot, one of the three children of Mr and Mrs Pelicot, who supported his mother in court, spoke to French media on Friday.
He told BFMTV that the lawsuit is about his mother, but also about his "destroyed family".
"We, the children, have been forgotten in the process," he said. "The fight against this violence is far from over. We must educate the next generation, but especially our sons."
CGTN / photo: wikipedia commons / gnews.cz-jav
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