In a disturbing development at the ongoing trial of the so-called ‘Monster of Avignon,’ Dominique Pelicot admitted to raping his former wife at a motorway rest area, describing it as “a fantasy of mine.” The court heard harrowing testimony about his intentions to subject his then-wife, Gisele Pelicot, to further assaults.
Defendant’s confession
During court proceedings, Dominique Pelicot initially claimed sole responsibility for the assault, stating: “We were on our way back from the Ile de Re and I stopped at a service station and I raped her. No one saw and it was not in full view of anyone else.”
However, this account was quickly contradicted by evidence and subsequent testimony.
Multiple perpetrators come forward
The trial took an unexpected turn when a second defendant, Abdelali Dallal, 46, admitted to his involvement in the assault. Dallal testified that he was contacted through the Coco.fr swinging website and driven to the location by his then-partner, who waited in her car during the assault.
“As I speak now, yes there were two rapes. But even now to this day, I don’t know why I went there,” Dallal told the court. He revealed that Dominique Pelicot had assured him about not needing protection, claiming to have drugged his wife.
Prison guard’s involvement revealed
In a shocking twist, former prison warden Quentin Hennebert emerged as another perpetrator. Hennebert, who previously guarded Pelicot following his 2020 arrest for upskirting, admitted to visiting the couple’s home in Mazan in November 2019 while still employed at the prison.
“When I got into my car afterward, I realized I had made a big mistake, and I just wanted to wipe it from my memory,” Hennebert testified. He claimed to have initially joined Coco.fr to “sell ecstasy and MDMA.”
Victim speaks out
Gisele Pelicot has waived her right to anonymity to testify against her former husband and other perpetrators. Her decision to come forward stems from a desire to help other sexual abuse survivors by sharing her harrowing experience.
Ongoing investigation
The case continues to shock France as more details emerge about the systematic abuse orchestrated by Dominique Pelicot, who allegedly drugged his wife and filmed multiple assaults. The investigation has revealed a disturbing network of perpetrators connected through online platforms and, remarkably, the prison system itself.
The trial, which has captured national attention for weeks, continues to uncover the extent of this organized abuse, highlighting serious concerns about online safety and institutional oversight in the French justice system.
