Dominique Pelicot, The man accused of drugging his wife Gisele with anti-anxiety drugs so that others they sexually assaulted her in an unconscious state, will not declare as planned this Tuesday at the trial in Avignon (south-east of France) because he has not been to court since health reasons.
The president of the Vaucluse criminal court, Roger Arataannounced this at the start of the hearing this morning and indicated that the declaration will be postponed of the main accused until he is fit.
Arata did not elaborate on the health problems that prevented the main defendant from appearing on a day considered key in the trial as he was expected to speak about his character and the facts, but He was also absent yesterday.
According to his lawyer, Béatrice Zavarro, complained about his abdomen and everything pointed to one urinary tract infection which prevented him from standing and sitting without pain.
The president refused to suspend the trial until Pelicot could be re-present, but he also did not want to risk setting a new date for this statement.
The process, in which others also sit on the bench 50 men accused of abusing their wives, Gisèle – from whom he has been divorced since August – started on the 2nd last day and should finish a week or two before Christmas.
