French Retiree Accused of Drugging Wife to Recruit Men for Rape: Trial Begins

A shocking criminal case is set to unfold in the southern city of Avignon, France, as a 71-year-old man stands trial for allegedly recruiting numerous individuals online to assault his wife, whom he drugged into unconsciousness. The defendant, a former employee of France's power utility EDF, is accused of orchestrating a series of sexual assaults on his wife, now in her 70s, over more than a decade. The trial is poised to be a horrific ordeal for the victim, who wishes to remain anonymous.

French retiree accused of enlisting dozens of strangers to rape

The accused man has been charged with orchestrating a series of sexual assaults on his wife, whom he allegedly drugged into unconsciousness. The accusations point to a pattern of abuse that spanned more than a decade, with the victim remaining unaware of the assaults until their discovery in 2020. The defendant reportedly used a website, coco.fr, to recruit co-conspirators for the assaults and provided them with detailed instructions to ensure the victim remained unaware during the incidents.

Impact on the Victim and the Legal Proceedings

The trial is expected to be an emotionally charged experience for the victim, who will be forced to confront her traumatic experiences in a legal setting. Despite the option for a closed trial, the victim elected for an open court, demonstrating her determination to confront her accusers directly. The legal proceedings are set to span several months, with a fascination of the public and media expected throughout the duration.