Pelicot's ex-husband found guilty of rapes

A court in France, on Thursday, sentenced the ex-husband of Gisele Pelicot to 20 years in prison for drugging and raping her and allowing other men to rape her while she was unconscious, in abuse that lasted nearly a decade.

- Associated Press

AVIGNON: A court in France, on Thursday, sentenced the ex-husband of Gisele Pelicot to 20 years in prison for drugging and raping her and allowing other men to rape her while she was unconscious, in abuse that lasted nearly a decade.

The sentence against Dominique Pelicot was the maximum possible under French law. He was declared guilty of all charges against him. At age 72, it could mean that he spends the rest of his life in prison. He won't be eligible to ask for early release until at least two-thirds of the sentence has been served.

The shocking case stunned France and spurred a national reckoning about the blight of rape culture.

Roger Arata, the lead judge of the court in the southern French city Avignon, told Pelicot to stand for the sentencing. After it was delivered, he sat back down and cried.