French Accomplices Who 'Ordered Wife's Sexual Assault' Appeal Guilty Verdict

Defendant Sentenced to 13 Years Imprisonment for Six Counts of Sexual Assault Against Victim Appeals

At least 15 of the dozens of defendants charged with raping a drugged wife at the suggestion of her French husband have appealed their first-instance guilty verdicts.

According to Yonhap News on the 29th, French BFM TV recently reported that at least 15 of the dozens of defendants submitted appeals against the first-instance verdict of the Avignon court in southeastern France. As a result, the second trial is expected to be held again within the next year.

Victim Giselle Pelico standing before the media after leaving the courthouse following the trial. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

The media reported that it was not confirmed whether Dominique Pellico (72), the victim's husband and a key figure among the appellants, was included. However, defendants who received prison sentences of 13 years for raping the victim six times at Pellico's suggestion have appealed.

Earlier, on the 19th, the Avignon District Court in southern France sentenced Dominique Pellico (72), who committed crimes such as ordering and aiding rape against his spouse, domestic violence and abuse, and forced drugging, to 20 years in prison, the same sentence as sought by the prosecution.

Among the 49 men who participated in Pellico's crimes, prison sentences ranging from 3 to 15 years were handed down for rape, attempted rape, and sexual assault charges. Jean-Pierre Mar?chal (63), who was summoned by Pellico and committed similar crimes against his wife, was sentenced to 12 years in prison. The sentences were somewhat lower than the prosecution's demands.

From 2011 to 2020, Pellico recruited men via the internet and called them to his home in Mazan, southern France, to rape his wife, Giselle Pellico (72). He made Giselle lose consciousness by giving her sedative-laced alcohol in advance.

Giselle Pellico Mural. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

He also filmed about 20,000 videos and photos while his wife was being raped. The full extent of the grotesque crime was revealed when he was caught secretly filming under women's skirts at a shopping center in September 2020. The police found rape videos on his camera and computer.

Victim Giselle Pellico, who demanded the entire trial process be made public and caused a social stir, later stated, "I wanted the whole society to be witnesses to the discussions happening here," and added, "I trust in our ability to find a better future where men and women can live with equal respect and mutual understanding."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.