The Mazan rape trial concluded yesterday, December 19, in Avignon. All the accused were found guilty and sentenced to sentences ranging from three years in prison, two of which were suspended, to 20 years in prison. Some have announced their intention to appeal the judgment.
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The highlight of this day was, without a doubt, Gisèle Pelicot’s speech in front of the media around the world. Moved, but with great dignity, she declared: “ I never regretted », in reference to his choice to refuse the closed session from the start of the trial. This decision, which marked the four months of hearing, diverted attention from the accused to place it on her, making her a living symbol of the fight against sexual violence.
“ Thank you, Gisèle Pelicot, for this word of justice that you defended with so much dignity », wrote this Friday President Emmanuel Macron on the social networke faced this ordeal with your head held high, and your courage moved and inspired France and the entire world. » Yesterday, December 19, it was amidst cheers and “ Thank you Gisèle » from a grateful crowd as Gisèle Pelicot left the court, before getting into a car and driving away.
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The question of appeals
The question now is whether there will be an appeal, and how many defendants will choose this path. Those convicted have ten days to make their decision.
For now, two calls have been recorded, as announced last night. Dominique Pelicot’s lawyer, Me Béatrice Zavarro, did not rule out this possibility. “ I have to go meet him very soon at the penitentiary establishment so that we can discuss the issues of an upcoming procedure. ”, she said.
The decision to appeal is far from simple. A new trial could result in harsher sentences, particularly if it is held before a popular jury, as would be the case. The jurors, confronted with rape videos suffered by Gisèle Pelicot, could be less lenient.
However, Gisèle Pelicot did not “ not afraid » of a new trial. “ She would face it “, declared one of his lawyers, Stéphane Babonneau, this Friday on France Inter. “ In any case, she is not afraid of it. If this were to happen, she has already told us that she would face it — if her health allows it, of course, because she is a 72-year-old lady today. But, in any case, that doesn’t scare her, that’s what she told us », assured Me Babonneau.
This afternoon, a feminist collective from Avignon planned a demonstration in front of the judicial court, with the support of activists from Barcelona. A mobilization which underlines the international scope of this case, 24 hours after the verdict.
Also readFrance: look back at the highlights of the Mazan rape trial