On her Instagram account, she has nearly 50,000 followers and every day she posts stories commenting on the hearings she participates in. She defends two of the 50 accused of raping Gisèle Pélicot, the woman whom her husband drugged to make her available to other men. Her aggressive tone, even when questioning the victim, and the fact that she shares videos commenting on the case daily on social media has sparked a lot of controversy.
Her name is Nadia El Bouroumi and she records herself leaving the courthouse where this landmark trial is taking place, considered historic in France. Born in Toulouse, her career path is unique: she dropped out of school, worked as a hairdresser, and started studying Law at 22. In 2008, she was elected councilor in Avignon for the Socialist Party. Recently, she published a book titled The Art of Living in Self-Demand.
Her interventions are always controversial in tone and content. A few days ago, it was the victim's turn to testify. Photos of Gisèle Pélicot showing the sexual acts she endured while unconscious and recorded by her husband were shown for the first time. She criticized the defense's manipulation of the images.
"You are upset about it, but you are responsible for the dissemination of these images," she aggressively retorted. Giséle Pélicot wanted the trial to be public and not behind closed doors so that "shame changes sides," to help other victims of chemical submission, and because she hopes this trial can change behaviors.
The tone used by the lawyer of two of the rape accused to interrogate the victim ignited the entire courtroom, including the rest of the defense lawyers. It has been one of the most tense hearings so far. "It is clear that you are the victim," reminded one of the defenders of other accused.
"I am here in front of 50 men, and it seems like they are the victims. No wonder people don't want to report," pointed out Gisèle Pélicot, who has maintained a calm demeanor since the beginning of the trial, despite facing the men who raped her while she was unconscious every day.
This contrasts with El Bouroumi's behavior. "Just came out of the Pélicot trial, wow...", she posted on one of her stories on Instagram. She films herself leaving the hearing, wearing her robe, or dancing in the car. The climax was a video she posted of herself singing in the car to Wake me up before you go-go. The lack of sensitivity, considering it is a trial for rape by chemical submission, was the last straw. Criticism multiplied.
A few days ago, she released a statement to defend herself: "I have to clarify that the video that has been circulating these days has been taken out of context. I deeply regret if my statements have been misinterpreted. I have never intended to mock Gisèle Pélicot, whom I consider a fragile person and a victim in this case."
El Bouroumi says that since the trial began, she and her children have been victims of threats, harassment, and insults. "I have decided to file a complaint for harassment. I am in a situation where it is impossible for me to practice my profession as a lawyer in a serene manner. This public and media pressure is an obstacle to defending my clients." She posted this on Instagram, where she continues to comment on the cases she is involved in.
None of the other lawyers of the 50 defendants have reported receiving threats. Not even the defense attorney of Dominique Pélicot, the main accused in the trial. On the contrary, his lawyer defends the victim: "Gisèle Pélicot is a woman of impressive dignity."