AVIGNON, France: The testimony of a 71-year-old Frenchman accused of drugging his spouse and recruiting dozens of strangers to rape her was postponed on Wednesday (Sep 11) after the presiding decide accepted that he was nonetheless unwell.
Dominique Pelicot, the primary defendant in a case that has shocked France, had been as a result of testify after a delay earlier this week when he was admitted to hospital.
Pelicot has been on trial since final week for repeatedly raping and enlisting strangers to abuse his closely sedated spouse within the couple’s dwelling over the course of a decade.
The presiding decide on Wednesday granted defence lawyer Beatrice Zavarro’s demand that Pelicot, who appeared in court docket frail and leaning on a cane, once more be excused.
Zavarro stated her shopper was “nonetheless in lots of ache” and never in a situation to face up to a full day listening to after beginning to present signs of what may very well be a bladder an infection on Friday.
Pelicot was despatched again to jail for a medical evaluation and it was not instantly clear when he can be in a situation to testify in court docket.
Prosecutors stated Pelicot supplied intercourse along with his spouse on an internet site and filmed the abuse. Fifty different males accused of collaborating within the abuse are additionally on trial.
Zavarro has informed French media Pelicot admits to his crimes. Among the different defendants have admitted their guilt whereas others say they thought the spouse had pretended to be asleep, in accordance with French media.
They every withstand 20 years in jail if discovered responsible.
