Gisele Pelicot rape case: 17 of 49 men convicted appeal convictions

At least 17 of the have said they will appeal. 

the 72-year-old who drugged and raped his wife and recruited others to rape her, will not appeal his 20-year jail sentence, according to his lawyer Béatrice Zavarro.

Zavarro told French media that Mr Pelicot, who submitted a guilty verdict, will not appeal to avoid inflicting a “new ordeal” on Ms Pelicot. He will have to be present as a witness at the trial.

More appeals could follow before the window closes at midnight tonight, December 30.

is not required to attend the appeal proceedings, but her lawyer Stéphane Babonneau indicated she will be present.

Babonneau told French media she would “face those who appealed. She’s not scared of that, although she obviously would have rather it ended here.”

Many of the men who appealed into raping his wife, and they were not aware she didn’t consent.

Construction worker Simoné Mekenese, 43, was sentenced to nine years in jail. He maintained he “never meant to rape Gisele Pelicot,” according to his lawyer, Yannick Prat, who believes the sentence was “disproportionate”.

He admits facing a popular jury could result in a longer sentence, but he would be “absolutely happy” to work with them.

Under French law, a new trial will have to happen over the next 12 months.

Appeals are often submitted in the hope of a shorter sentence, however, they can end up being longer, and the trial’s widespread media coverage may have an impact.

Patrick Gontard told the that all men, including his client, had been handed shorter sentences than the prosecutor asked for.

Charly Arbo, 30, also appealed his 13 years sentence for raping Ms Pelicot on six separate occasions in his early 20s.

Nurse Redouane El Farihi, 55, is appealing his eight year sentence.

Ms Pelicot has been praised for her to give strength to other rape victims.

She said: “Victims of rape are often ashamed, but it’s not on us to have shame. It’s on them.”