The only man to appeal his conviction for raping Gisele Pelicot is back in court in France to try and overturn the verdict. Husamettin Dogan, 44, was sentenced to nine years in prison after the victim’s husband invited him to abuse her. Dogan claims that he was mislead into believing there was consent. He was one of 51 men found guilty of sexually abusing Pelicot, who was drugged and violated in her own bed over almost a decade. 17 of them filed an appeal, but he is the only one persisting.
Dogan’s team says that he will appeal against both his criminal conviction, as well as his sentence. Proceedings will take place in Nimes from Monday to Thursday. “I started foreplay, I saw she didn’t react,” he claimed. “I said, ‘She’s dead, your wife.’ [Dominique Pelicot] said, ‘No, you’re imagining it.’ He penetrated her and she lifted up her head a little.” Dogan added that they persisted for half an hour at least, until Gisele Pelicot clearly snored.
He then decided to leave, the appellant said, according to France24.
Dogan was then reminded by one of the judges that rape is an act committed “through violence, constraint, threat or surprise”.
Initially, he conceded.
“I admit it was rape,” Dogan said.
However, at the end of the trial in Avignon, Dogan insisted he was not a rapist.
Even though she is not obliged to, Gisele will attend the proceedings, it has been reported.
Her lawyer, Antoine Camus, said she would have preferred not to have had to face further proceedings, but will be there.
“She will be there to explain that a rape is a rape, that there is no such thing as a small rape,” Camus told Agence France-Presse.
Dominique Pelicot was found guilty on all charges and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
This was the maximum possible.
At age 72, he could spend the rest of his life in prison.
He also will not be eligible to request early release until he has served at least two-thirds of the term.