A shocking trial has begun in the southern French city of Avignon, where a 71-year-old retiree stands accused of orchestrating the repeated rape of his wife by dozens of strangers, whom he allegedly recruited online. The disturbing case has sent shockwaves across France, shedding light on a decade-long series of abuses that the victim reportedly knew nothing about until 2020.
The main suspect, a former employee of France’s power utility, EDF, allegedly drugged his wife into unconsciousness with powerful tranquilizers, particularly Temesta, and facilitated her rape by 51 identified men between 2011 and 2020. The assaults are believed to have taken place in the couple’s home in Mazan, a small village near Avignon, where the couple moved after initially living near Paris.
A wide range of participants
The trial involves not only the retiree, identified as Dominique P., but also 50 other men who stand accused of participating in the rapes. The accused range in age from 21 to 68 and come from various walks of life, including professions such as forklift driver, fire brigade officer, journalist, and company executive. Some of these men were married, while others were single or divorced. Investigators have identified 72 men in total as suspects, with the remaining men yet to be formally identified.
Police uncovered the horrifying acts after Dominique P. was caught secretly filming under women’s skirts at a shopping center in September 2020. This incident prompted a police investigation that led to the discovery of thousands of photos and videos on Dominique P.’s computer, showing his wife in an unconscious state. Many of these images allegedly depict the rapes, with the woman often in a fetal position, completely unaware of the horrors being inflicted upon her.
Investigators also discovered that Dominique P. used a now-defunct chat site, coco.fr, to recruit men to come to his home and sexually assault his wife while she was unconscious. He reportedly gave detailed instructions to these men to avoid waking her, including not wearing aftershave, ensuring their hands were warm, and undressing in the kitchen to avoid leaving evidence in the bedroom. Dominique P. is said to have actively participated in the assaults, filming and encouraging the perpetrators with degrading language.
Victim endured the ordeal for over a decade
The victim, now in her 70s, has chosen to face her attackers in court, despite the traumatic ordeal she is about to endure. According to her lawyer, Antoine Camus, she was completely unaware of the rapes until the investigation began and has no recollection of the assaults. “For the first time, long after the fact, she will have to live through the rapes that she endured over 10 years,” Camus said, emphasizing the strength she is showing by not requesting a closed trial.
Dominique P., who has also been charged with other crimes, including a 1991 murder and rape, has admitted to drugging his wife but denies any involvement in the other charges. Psychiatrists have described him as a manipulative “patriarch” with a perverse personality who used his wife as “bait” for his own twisted fantasies.
The trial is expected to continue until December, as the court seeks to determine the full extent of the defendants’ awareness and involvement in the horrific crimes.
