Macron joins chorus of praise for Gisele Pelicot after mass rape trial ends

French president Emmanuel Macron has praised the "dignity" and "courage" of Gisèle Pelicot, after the conclusion of the mass rape trial that shocked France.

Macron wrote on X: "Thank you Gisèle Pélicot. For this word of justice in the name of which you faced the ordeal with your head held high. For women, who will forever have a scout to speak and fight. For all of us, because your dignity and your courage have moved and inspired France and the world." 

Dominique Pelicot, the former husband of Gisele Pelicot, was found guilty on Thursday of aggravated rape and attempted rape, in one of the most high-profile trials France has seen.

He was sentenced to 20 years in jail, after he recruited men online to rape his wife in the family home after first drugging her by crushing sleeping tablets into her food and drink.

The abuse lasted nine years, and Pelicot was only caught when a security guard in a shopping mall reported him to police in 2020 for taking upskirt photos of women.

Law enforcement discovered thousands of images and videos on his laptop detailing the rape of his then wife in the couple's bedroom, by 72 men.

Fifty of those responsible were arrested and all were found guilty of rape at the trial in the southern city of Avignon that concluded on December 19.

They were handed down custodial sentences ranging from three to 15 years. Some received suspended sentences and walked free from court.

Demonstrators voiced their anger at the short length of the sentences, and Gisele Pelicot's three children said they were "disappointed".

At the court in the southern French city of Avignon, Gisele Pelicot thanked her supporters after she sat through three and a half months of harrowing evidence, detailing the abuse she suffered while she was unconscious.

"I think of the unrecognised victims whose stories often remain in the shadows," she said. "I want you to know that we share the same struggle."

She added: "I would like to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported me throughout this ordeal. Your testimonies have overwhelmed me and have given me the strength to come back every day to face those long days of hearings."

Dominique Pelicot's lawyer said he sat "dazed" in court as the verdicts and the sentencing were read out by judges.

She did not rule out appealing against the sentence. "We are not authorised to criticise a court decision. The only way we can contest it is to appeal," said Béatrice Zavarro.

"Once again, I repeat, we will use the ten-day period we have been given to make this decision and find out whether we should be submitted to a jury of the people again in the coming months."

David Pelicot, one of the Pelicots' three children, who supported his mother in court, spoke to French media on Friday.

He told BFMTV that the trial was about his mother but also "a destroyed family".

"We, the children, have been forgotten in this trial," he said. "The fight against this violence is far from over. We must educate the next generation, but especially our sons."