His own daughter describes him as "the biggest sexual predator France has had in the last two decades." He is accused of drugging his wife for 10 years so that other men (including himself) could rape her while she was unconscious. The testimony of him is crucial for a trial lasting over three months involving 50 other men accused of rape. If he does not testify, the others cannot either.
However, despite all mentioned, this 73-year-old man, who has been experiencing health problems for 10 days that have prevented him from testifying in a trial that depends on him and cannot proceed without him, has not received the necessary treatment, medical care, or a precise diagnosis. The process has been delayed for days, and all parties' lawyers, prosecution and defense, agree that it is scandalous.
The trial judging Dominique Pélicot has been paralyzed for almost a week due to his health condition. He was absent again this Monday from the trial due to a kidney stone and an infection, and it is unknown when he will be able to testify. He was supposed to testify last week.
He has been absent for several days, and despite being the main accused, he has not been hospitalized, a clear diagnosis of his condition was not made until now, and he was not treated until Saturday, "eight days after his pain started, I am astonished," his lawyer, Beatrice Zavarro, stated.
No one understands it: He is the main accused in the biggest case of sexual violence in France in decades. Lawyers from both sides denounce negligence and describe it as an "abnormal situation" bordering on "scandal." If he does not testify, the other 50 men accused of raping his wife, Giséle Pélicot, 70 years old, who has attended the hearing daily, will not be able to do so. And she has shown her face openly.
Dominique Pélicot was supposed to testify last week. The trial, which started two weeks ago and will last until December, is already a week behind schedule, and if problems persist, it could be postponed to next year, which, according to all parties, "would be a catastrophe."
"We are talking about a major trial that attracts international interest, if it needs to be postponed, it would mean starting over, with all that implies for the victims," denounced Antoine Camus, one of the lawyers for the civil party representing Gisèle Pélicot. "It took us a whole week to find out what was happening. And now we know that he has not been given the prescribed medication because it is not in stock. We have wasted a week without knowing if the process can continue or not," said Stéphane Babonneau.
According to Zavarro, Pélicot is present in the courtroom on Tuesday, although "under particular conditions." However, progress cannot be made until he testifies.
The sequence, bordering on surreal, is as follows: Pélicot was absent last Monday because he was unwell, and on Tuesday, he could not testify as planned due to pain, but the exact nature of his condition was not specified. The presiding judge, Roger Arata, requested a medical expert to examine him. The expert did so, and on the same day, based on the diagnosis, it was stated that Pélicot was fit to appear before the court. On Wednesday, he showed up early but could barely stand and left.
He did not appear on Thursday, and the session on Friday and also on Monday had to be suspended. The president of the Avignon Court of Justice, where the trial is taking place, ordered this morning for two expert physicians to examine the accused and provide a report on his health condition. In the afternoon, these experts stated that he could attend the trial. At this point, it is difficult to know if Pélicot will make a brief appearance tomorrow only to leave, as happened last Wednesday.
Lawyers from both sides have been warning for days that without Pélicot, the trial cannot proceed. Until today, his condition had not been specified. His lawyer denounces that, despite the seriousness of his condition, he is not hospitalized but in jail, and he did not receive medical treatment for his ailment until Saturday, almost a week later.
It seems unlikely that Pélicot will be able to provide his testimony in the next few hours.
"The situation is abnormal. For a week, we have been questioning every day his ability to come to this trial. It is intolerable and unbearable. If he cannot come, we will be in a scandalous situation," repeated Babonneau, Gisèle Pélicot's lawyer.
"For days, we have been hostages of a situation that should have been resolved, especially when hundreds of people are involved in this process," the accused's lawyer stated.
Gisèle Pélicot, who has been present at the hearing this Monday, has thanked for the affection and support shown in recent days. Demonstrations were held throughout France on Saturday in support of her under the slogan "We are all Gisèle." She wanted this trial to be public and attends openly because, as she stated, "the shame must shift sides."