Man on Trial for Alleged Sedation and Rape After Contact with Dominique Pelicot
A bodyguard from Lyon is set to face trial accused of sedating and raping his partner, following online contact with Dominique Pelicot, who was convicted of drugging and raping his own wife, Gisèle Pelicot.
Dominique Pelicot, aged 73, is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence after being found guilty of drugging his then-wife and inviting dozens of men to rape her in their home in southern France over nearly a decade. He, along with 50 other men, was convicted in 2024 during the largest rape trial in French history.
Pelicot made contact with men through an online chatroom named "Against her knowledge". He crushed sleeping tablets and anti-anxiety medication into his wife's food and drink to render her unconscious.
Gisèle Pelicot gained international support by insisting that the rape trial be held publicly to raise awareness of the use of drugs and sedation to facilitate rape. She stated:
"It’s not for us to have shame, it’s for them".
Details of the Lyon Bodyguard's Case
The man facing trial, who worked as an international bodyguard for high-profile clients at film festivals and during trips worldwide, including the US and Gulf states, was found to have communicated with Pelicot during initial investigations into Pelicot in 2020.
Arrested in 2023, the bodyguard is accused of sedating his long-term partner, raping her, and filming the abuse. His lawyer, Gabriel Versini-Bullara, stated that his client denies the charges. He acknowledged that the investigation established contact between the bodyguard and Pelicot but emphasized that this did not imply the bodyguard was a "disciple" of Pelicot. The court will determine the extent of their contact and whether the bodyguard sought Pelicot’s advice on sedating and abusing his partner.
The investigating magistrates’ case summary, reviewed by Agence France-Presse, alleges that the bodyguard sought to benefit from Pelicot’s "experience" in drugging and raping his wife. The summary noted that the victim's deep sedation "ruled out all form of consent."
The bodyguard’s partner reported to investigators that she had experienced "great fatigue" over three years without understanding the cause. She also described heart problems, dizziness, and several blackouts.
In addition to the rape charges, the bodyguard admitted to separate offenses involving possession and distribution of child abuse imagery.
The trial is scheduled to continue until Friday.
