Prosecutor Seeks Longer Sentence for Man Convicted of Rape
The French state prosecutor has requested an increased prison term for an unemployed builder who contested his conviction for raping Gisèle Pelicot after she was drugged unconscious by her husband.
Dominique Sie, the lead prosecutor, told the court of appeal in Nîmes that Husamettin Dogan’s denial of guilt exemplified how deeply rooted certain harmful attitudes remain in society, describing them as outdated forms of dominance.
Sie stated, “We must shift from harmful norms to a culture of mutual agreement.”
Dogan, a 44-year-old married father, received a nine-year sentence last year for sexually assaulting Pelicot while she was in a comatose state in June 2019. He is the only one of 51 men convicted in a widely publicized case to challenge the verdict, leading to a retrial in southern France.
Sie urged the jury to uphold the conviction and extend Dogan’s prison term to 12 years, citing his “complete denial of responsibility.”
Pelicot’s former husband, Dominique, one of France’s most notorious offenders, confessed to mixing sedatives into his then-wife’s meals and arranging for multiple men to assault her while she was unconscious in their home in Mazan, Provence, from 2011 to 2020. During the appeal, Pelicot testified that his husband had searched online in a forum called “Without her knowledge” and contacted participants by phone, stating, “I want someone to harm my wife after I’ve made her unconscious.”
Video evidence presented in court showed Gisèle Pelicot unconscious and unresponsive as the assault occurred. Dogan insisted he had not committed rape but only engaged in “sexual activity,” claiming he was misled by Dominique Pelicot’s instructions.
Sie argued that Dogan’s unwillingness to acknowledge his actions reflected broader harmful attitudes that still persist.
In his closing remarks, Sie addressed Dogan directly: “Your refusal to confess doesn’t just harm one woman—it upholds an entire corrupt system.”
Gisèle Pelicot, 72, gained global recognition as a symbol of resilience after she publicly identified herself during last year’s trial, declaring, “The shame must shift.”
Sie acknowledged her in court, noting that Dogan’s appeal and continued denial proved that “the shame has not shifted yet. Society may be progressing, partly due to the awareness raised by your courage.”
A decision is expected by Thursday afternoon.
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