The world gathers to see justice for Gisele Pelicot: Reporters from around the globe arrive as judges announce verdict for Monster of Avignon rapist and his 50 'accomplices'
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The perpetrators of France's most notorious sex crime in which grandmother Gisele Pelicot was raped by dozens of men after being drugged by her depraved husband will learn their fate today as judges begin to deliver their verdicts. The 50 men from all walks of life face more than 600 years behind bars for their parts in Dominique Pelicot's warped ten-year campaign in which he watched his wife being abused while knocked out with powerful sedatives.
Pelicot, 72, who has been dubbed 'The Monster of Avignon' and has failing health, has accepted that he will die 'like a dog' behind bars as he is expected to receive the maximum 20-year sentence. His 50 accomplices – all of whom are expected to be found guilty – face terms between four and 18 years each.
![[Gisele Pelicot, 72, held her head high as she heard and watched films taken by her husband of 50 years in which she was abused some 200 times by strangers he had invited into their home]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/07/93303479-0-image-a-4_1734592937928.jpg)
The trial – which has gathered international attention – has gripped France and the world since its outset in September. Some 180 journalists from across France and the globe queued outside the Avignon Criminal Court before dawn this morning to hear the verdicts.
![[The man dubbed the Monster of Avignon after drugging his wife and inviting dozens of men to have sex with her arrived at court this morning. Dominique Pelicot is pictured above sitting behind a police officer]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/07/93194169-14208993-image-a-14_1734593144683.jpg)
A feminist campaigner protested in the street outside waiving a placard demanding 'Christmas in jail' and 'Easter behind bars' for Pelicot and the other defendants. Bus loads of other protesters are expected to join a mass demonstration in support of Gisele Pelicot who has stood proud in to face down her vile abusers over the four month trial that has shocked the world.
![[Dominque Pelicot (pictured) is accused of drugging his ex wife Gisele and inviting dozens of men to rape her while he watched and filmed them over a decade long period of hell]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/19/07/91232383-0-Dominque_Pelicot_pictured_is_accused_of_drugging_his_ex_wife_Gis-a-5_1734592981946.jpg)
