French Man Faces Trial for Drugging Wife, Facilitating Rapes by Dozens of Men

A 71-year-old French man is on trial for drugging his wife and recruiting dozens of men online to rape her. The case, which revealed at least 92 assaults over nearly 10 years, came to light after the accused was caught filming under women's skirts at a shopping center.

A 71-year-old man is standing trial in France for allegedly drugging his wife with sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medication, then recruiting over 50-70 men online to rape her, CNN reported, citing court documents. The alleged victim, 72-year-old Gisele, attended the trial's first day in Avignon, supported by her daughter and two sons.

Police have identified at least 92 sexual assaults committed by 72 men, aged between 26 and 74. Of these, 50 have been identified and charged with either aggravated or attempted rape, standing trial alongside Gisele's husband. The assaults reportedly began in 2011 and lasted nearly a decade.

Prosecutors allege that Gisele's husband, Dominique, used to recruit men online to rape her after drugging her. Dominique faces nine charges, including multiple counts of aggravated rape and drugging to commit rape. Prosecutors also claim Dominique documented many assaults on camera, aiding their case. Dominique's lawyer, Beatrice Zavarro, stated in court that he recognizes his actions, adding that he did not contest the charges during the investigation.

The case emerged in 2020 when Dominique was caught in a shopping center filming under women's skirts. Police seized his phone and computer, uncovering evidence of multiple rapes involving his wife. Dominique maintains all participants knew his wife was incapacitated, yet some defendants claim ignorance of the drugging.

During the trial, victim Gisele listened to details of the horrors she endured for nearly 10 years. Her lawyer, Stephane Babonneau, commented on the difficulty for Gisele to hear the defendants' lawyers argue their clients believed the acts were consensual. Gisele's daughter revealed her mother had sought medical advice for extreme fatigue and memory loss, side effects of the drugs, yet doctors failed to detect the abuse.

In response, Gisele's daughter launched an awareness campaign titled "M'endors Pas" to educate on drug-facilitated sexual assault. The trial, which commenced on September 2 in Avignon, is set to conclude with a verdict on December 20, CNN reported.

(With inputs from agencies.)