ReutersWARNING: This story contains distressing details from the beginning.
A French judge has overturned the verdict in the trial of a man accused of drugging his wife to hypnotize her and recruiting dozens of men to abuse her for more than a decade.
Lawyers for Gisèle Pelicot, 72, had earlier appealed against a judge’s initial decision to show only the crime film to lawyers and the jury.
She waived her right to anonymity at the trial, allowing shocking details of the case to be heard publicly.
Her lawyers argued the video should be seen as an attempt to draw attention to the use of drugs for sexual abuse. They hailed the latest ruling as a “victory”.
Dominique Pelicot, 71, who documented many of the crimes against his now ex-wife on film, pleaded guilty to the charges against him.
However, there are 50 other men accused of rape with him and the videos are believed to be an important part of the case.
The judge announced on Friday that before the images could be shown, the court would issue a proclamation “allowing persons with sensitive personalities and minors to leave”.
He added that the video evidence screened was “not systematic” and would only be shown at the request of one of the parties when “absolutely necessary to reveal the truth”.
ReutersA judge last month banned such videos from being shown to the public and media, saying the images were “shocking and indecent”.
However, he decided to lift the restrictions after Ms Pellicott’s lawyers called for a public trial.
Stéphane Babonneau, one of Ms. Pelicot’s lawyers, said: “If these hearings, through publicity, can help prevent other women from going through the same thing, then she will be in her own pain. Find meaning.
Babonneau called the ruling “a victory in a fight that should never have been fought,” adding that for decades, under French law, rape victims had the right to decide whether proceedings should be public.
French media also called for the ruling to be overturned. The Association for Justice Press (APJ) has warned that freedom of information is under “serious attack”.
Lawyers for some of the 50 co-defendants accused of raping Pellicott’s ex-wife strongly objected to screening the video evidence.
“Justice does not need this in order to proceed, what is the point of these objectionable screenings?” said lawyer Olivier Lanteme.
BBC/Léa GuedjFrench people were shocked by the number of men involved.
Of the 83 suspects featured in Dominique Pelicot’s film, police have identified only 50.
They range in age from 26 to 68 and come from all walks of life – firefighters, pharmacists, workers and journalists. Many are fathers and husbands.
Of the other men charged, 15 admitted to rape, but all others only admitted to participating in a sexual act.
