Judge rules public can view video evidence of mass rapes in France

Warning: This story contains disturbing details from the beginning.

A French judge has overturned a verdict in the trial of a man accused of drugging his wife for more than a decade and recruiting dozens of men to abuse her.

Lawyers for Gisèle Pelicot, 72, had previously appealed the judge's original decision to only show lawyers and the jury videos of the crimes.

She waived her right to anonymity during the trial so that the shocking details of the case could be heard publicly.

Her lawyers argued that the video should be seen to raise awareness of drug use in sexual abuse. They hailed the latest ruling as a “victory.”

Dominique Pelicot, 71, videotaped many of the crimes committed against his now-ex-wife and admitted the allegations against him.

However, 50 other men alongside him are accused of rape and the videos are considered essential elements of the case.

The judge announced on Friday that before the images were shown in the courtroom, an announcement would be made “allowing the exit of sensitive people and minors.”

He added that the video evidence was “not systematic” and would only be shown when “strictly necessary to reveal the truth,” at the request of one of the parties.

The judge last month banned the broadcast of such footage to the public and the press, saying the images were “shocking and indecent.”

However, he decided to lift the restrictions after Ms Pelicot's lawyers demanded that the trial be public.

“If these same hearings, through their publicity, help ensure that other women do not have to go through this, then she will find meaning in her suffering,” said Stéphane Babonneau, one of Ms. Pelicot’s lawyers.

Mr. Babonneau called the verdict “a victory in a battle that should not have been fought,” adding that under French law for decades rape victims had the right to decide whether the trial should be public.

The French press also campaigned for the verdict to be overturned. The Judicial Press Association (APJ) warned of a “serious attack” on freedom of information.

Lawyers for some of the 50 co-defendants accused of raping Mr. Pelicot's ex-wife strongly opposed the presentation of video evidence.

“Justice doesn’t need this to proceed. “What is the point of these disgusting demonstrations?” said lawyer Olivier Lantelme.

The French public was shocked by the number of men involved in the case.

Police were only able to identify 50 of the 83 suspects who appeared in Dominique Pelicot's videos.

They range in age from 26 to 68 and come from all walks of life – firefighters, pharmacists, workers and journalists. Many are fathers and husbands.

Of the other defendants, 15 admit rape, but all others only admit participation in sexual acts.