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Dominique Pelicot forgoes appeal in mass rape case as co-defendants challenge convictions, sparking legal reform debate. Dominique Pelicot, sentenced to 20 years for drugging and orchestrating the rape of his then-wife Gisele over a decade, will not appeal his conviction, his lawyer announced. While Pelicot accepts his sentence, 17 of his 50 co-defendants, convicted of rape or sexual assault, have filed appeals, with the remaining defendants having until midnight to decide. Gisele Pelicot, now 72, has been hailed as a symbol of courage during the three-month trial, which exposed shocking abuse and drew global attention. Pelicot received the maximum 20-year sentence for his crimes. The five-judge panel also sentenced co-defendants to terms ranging from three to 15 years, less than prosecutors’ demands. The accused included individuals from various professions—lorry drivers, soldiers, firefighters, journalists, and others—many of whom claimed they believed the acts were consensual. Some defendants argued they thought the abuse was a consensual arrangement orchestrated by the couple, pointing to Pelicot's alleged approval of the acts. Pelicot’s lawyer, Beatrice Zavarro, stated he opted against appealing to spare his ex-wife further trauma, saying, "She was not his adversary.” Protests across France have highlighted support for Gisele and called for legal reforms, including clearer recognition in French rape law that consent is a prerequisite for sex. Despite Pelicot’s decision, a new trial may occur due to the appeals of co-defendants. Gisele’s lawyer stated she is prepared to face another trial, health permitting. The case has sparked national introspection on consent and the legal system, amplifying calls for updated rape laws to better protect victims and define consent clearly.
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