“I am a rapist… She didn’t deserve it. “Her ex-husband, the French man in the Mass Rape trial, admitted

Dominique Pelicot, ex-husband to Gisèle Pelicot, has admitted to drugging and raping her for over 10 years while they were married.

He admitted to all the charges against him in his first testimony for the trial that started on the 2nd of September 2024. Referring to the 50 co-defendants in the case, he said: “I am a rapist just like the others in this room.”

“They all knew, they cannot say the contrary,” he said. However, only 15 of the 50 defendants admitted to rape, with most saying they only took acts of sexual conduct.

Speaking about his wife, he said he said: “She did not deserve this.”I was very happy with her,” he told the court.

Gisèle, who was given the chance to respond shortly after, said: “It is difficult for me to listen to this. For 50 years, I lived with a man who I would’ve never imagined could be capable of this. I trusted him completely.”

No cameras are allowed in court, but the trial is open to the public per Gisèle’s request. Her legal team said opening the trial would shift the shame from the victim to the accused.

Pelicot began his testimony of how he was abused sexually by a male nurse when he was nine. When asked about his marriage with Gisèle he said he thought of committing suicide when he found out she was having an affair.

Mr Pelicot continuously assured the court that he never “hated” his wife and was, in fact, crazy about [her]… I loved her immensely, and I still do.”

“I loved her well for 40 years and badly for 10,” referring to the years he drugged and raped her.

He was asked about the video he made of the 50 men who abused his wife. He said they were partly for “pleasure” and also “as insurance; since today, it is thanks to [the videos] that we have been able to find the people who took part in this”.

He was questioned by Stéphane Babonneau, one of Gisèle’s lawyers, about why he didn’t stop even when he complained of having medical issues. He said, “I tried to stop, but my addiction was stronger. The need was growing.”

Earlier in the trial Gisèle had stated she she was worried she was developing Alzheimer’s or a brain tumour because of hair and weight loss and large memory gaps. These were, in fact, side effects of the drugs her husband was giving her.

Pelicot further said, “I was trying to reassure her, I betrayed her trust. I should’ve stopped sooner;  I should’ve never started at all.”

He was also accused of abusing his daughter, Caroline; when semi-naked pictures of her were seen on his laptop, he denied the accusation, saying he did nothing to his kids and grandchildren

He said, “I can look my family in the eyes and tell them that nothing else occurred.”

He also explained to the court that he “became perverted” in 2010 when a male nurse he met on the Internet suggested he drug his wife with a sedative, explained how he administered it and showed photos of drugged women. He said, “That’s when it all clicked,” Mr Pelicot said. “Everything started then.”

His lawyer, Béatrice Zavarro, shared with French TV that she doesn’t know what people would think of her client, but he is “sharing his truth.”

She equally added that Mr Pelicot was “very downtrodden” She said although she doesn’t know what Gisèle would think of her client’s request for forgiveness “, the confession is now underway, and he will continue.”

She said: “We will get to the end of this trial, and we will know everything about Dominique Pelicot.”

Mr Pelicot, who was absent from court for nearly a week because of a kidney infection and stone, is set to give his testimony throughout the day, although he will be allowed frequent breaks.