Dominique Pelicot has received the maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for his role in the mass rape case.
All 51 men involved in the case have been found guilty of the charges against them, including several who had initially pleaded not guilty.
Family members of the accused, present in the courtroom for the verdicts, were visibly emotional as the sentences were announced.
One defendant was acquitted of rape but convicted of sexual assault.
As the judge continues to read out the verdicts, at least 20 defendants have been found guilty of raping Gisèle Pelicot. Unlike her ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, some of the men denied the charges, claiming the sex was consensual.
Jean-Pierre Marechal was also convicted, found guilty of aggravated rape and chemical submission of his wife, Cilia M. According to court documents, Pelicot had instructed Marechal, 63, on how to drug his wife, reflecting the tactics he used to abuse Gisèle Pelicot over many years.
Dominique Pelicot has pleaded guilty to drugging and orchestrating the mass rape of his then-wife, Gisèle Pelicot, for a decade. He is now in court awaiting sentencing.
In the courtroom, Pelicot is dressed in a grey jacket, and his daughter Caroline, sitting with her brother David, was seen crying. Family members of other accused men were also visibly distressed.
Outside the courtroom in Avignon, dozens of activists are gathered, with one holding a sign that reads: “So the shame changes sides.” Gisèle Pelicot, who has repeatedly stated that the shame belongs to the perpetrators, not the victims, is also present.
During the trial, Gisèle Pelicot stated, “I’ve decided not to be ashamed – I’ve done nothing wrong. They are the ones who must be ashamed.”
The verdicts and sentences for the 49 remaining defendants are expected to be delivered soon. Dominique Pelicot, who has admitted to recruiting over 70 men to allegedly rape Gisèle over a 10-year period, is expected to face the full extent of the law.
The trial has been closely followed by media from around the world, and the five judges overseeing the case will deliver the verdicts through a secret ballot.
Although the outcome is expected on Thursday morning, Judge Roger Arata has indicated that the timing may vary depending on the deliberations. If necessary, the verdicts may be delayed until Thursday afternoon or Friday.
