Frenchman accused of mass rapes of wife will not be in his trial

12/9/2024 5:58

        Dominique Pelicot,
        a 71-year-old Frenchman accused of drugging his wife and
        recruiting dozens of strangers to rape her, will not take part
        in his trial this week because his health has deteriorated, his
        lawyer said on Wednesday.
        
        Pelicot, the main defendant in a case that has shocked
        France, had been expected to testify earlier this week, but his
        appearance was delayed when he was admitted to hospital.
        
        "Mr Pelicot's state has become more serious. He will not be
        there tomorrow or Friday," his lawyer Beatrice Zavarro said,
        without disclosing additional details of Pelicot's condition.
        
        The chief judge earlier said he might pause the whole trial
        should his health deteriorate further. A group of about 50 men
        accused of raping Pelicot's heavily sedated wife Gisele over the
        course of a decade are also on trial.
        
        Prosecutors said Pelicot offered sex with his wife on a
        website and filmed the abuse.
        
        His lawyer Zavarro on Wednesday morning said her client was
        "still in a lot of pain" when he left the court for further
        medical checks, to be carried out in jail. She said Pelicot
        could have a bladder infection or colic.