Frenchman Hospitalized Before Testifying in Shocking Trial

A 71-year-old Frenchman, Dominique Pelicot, who has admitted to drugging his wife for years and facilitating the sexual assaults of numerous men in their home, was taken to the hospital on Tuesday—just hours before he was scheduled to testify in a highly publicized trial in Avignon, France. This case has sent shockwaves throughout the nation and has drawn the attention of reporters from across the globe, filling two courtrooms with observers eager to hear the unfolding details.

The exact condition of Mr. Pelicot was not immediately available. His attorney, Béatrice Zavarro, informed the media that her client had been experiencing significant abdominal pain and urinary discomfort since the previous Friday, which led to his absence from court on Monday. In response to his health concerns, the presiding judge, Roger Arata, mandated a medical evaluation, indicating that the trial would be on hold if Mr. Pelicot required hospitalization.

Despite these health issues, Ms. Zavarro emphasized that Mr. Pelicot remains determined to testify before the court, including his wife, Gisèle, and their three children, who have attended the trial since its inception last week. The family has not had any communication with him since his arrest in late 2020. “I heard comments in the courtroom today suggesting that his absence might be intentional, but that is simply not the case,” Ms. Zavarro stated emphatically. “Let us be very clear: Mr. Pelicot has not shied away from this process. He is committed to being present and answering all questions. However, he is currently facing a medical issue that he did not foresee.”

She further noted that testifying is “essential” for Mr. Pelicot, who has pleaded guilty to all charges against him. His attorney expressed hope that the trial would serve as an opportunity for him to explain his actions to Gisèle and their children, offering a semblance of closure to the family after years of suffering.