Speaking for the first time before the Vaucluse criminal court on Tuesday 17 September, Dominique Pelicot, the main accused in the Mazan rape case, admitted to being ” a rapist ” while declaring that his ex-wife Gisèle Pelicot ” did not deserve ” what she suffered for ten years.
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” I am a rapist like those in this room. They all knew, they can’t say otherwise. ” assured Dominique Pelicot, speaking of the 50 co-accused in the Mazan rape trial. At this statement, some of them made a small noise of disapproval in the room.
This is the first time that the main accused has spoken since the start of this emblematic trial of sexual violence and chemical submission, which began on September 2 in Avignon and is scheduled to last until December 20. Absent for a week For health reasons, he reappeared for the first time on Tuesday, September 17 with a lighter protocol, required by doctors, and in particular with a chair at his disposal and regular breaks.
” I am guilty of what I did »
Dominique Pelicot first spoke about his youth, which he described as ” difficult “, marked by parents” who were violent among themselves “speaking quickly about two episodes” traumatic “, a rape he allegedly suffered at the age of 9 and another he allegedly was forced to carry out on a construction site while he was working there as an apprentice. I still had these traumas behind me ” he explained, his voice shaking and in tears. You are not born like that, you become like that. ” he added.
” She didn’t deserve this, I admit it. “, the septuagenarian also indicated from the dock about his former partner, whom he met in 1971, speaking of a ” nice meeting ” before drugging her, raping her and having her raped by dozens of strangers recruited on the internet between 2011 and 2020.
At the bar, Dominique Pelicot also apologized to his ex-wife. I am guilty of what I have done. I ask my wife, my children, my grandchildren, Mrs. M. (raped by her husband using the same method and in the presence of Dominique Pelicot, editor’s note), to please accept my apologies. I ask for forgiveness, even if it is not acceptable. ” he pleaded. According to the investigation, photos of his daughter and his two stepdaughters, taken without their knowledge and showing some of them naked, were found on his computer.
Gisèle Pelicot remained stoic throughout her speech, before going to the stand herself to briefly testify. Not for a single second could I doubt this man. ” in whom ” I had complete confidence ” she explained at the bar. ” I loved this man for 50 years, I would have given him both my hands to cut off ” she confides.
Gisèle Pelicot has become a symbol for having agreed that the trial be public so that ” Shame changes sides “.
Also readSexual violence: through the emblematic trial of the Mazan rapes, the hope of “a surge in society”