### French Judge Allows Public Viewing of Rape Evidence in Groundbreaking Trial

In a significant turn of events, a French judge has allowed the public to view video recordings of alleged rapes in a trial that has gripped the nation. The decision by Judge Roger Arata in Avignon represents a notable change from his initial ruling, reflecting the intense public interest and legal battles surrounding the case.

Gisèle Pelicot, 71, has become a prominent figure in France's struggle against sexual violence. Her former husband, Dominique Pelicot, is accused of repeatedly drugging her over a decade, enabling himself and 49 other men to rape her. The explicit videos, recorded by Dominique and submitted as evidence, are central to the case. Pelicot's insistence on a public trial, despite the court's preference for private hearings, has highlighted her determination to bring the issue to national attention.

Since the trial commenced on September 2, Gisèle Pelicot has shown remarkable composure, confronting her ex-husband and his co-defendants nearly every day. Her calm and clear testimony, along with her willingness to allow her full name to be published, is unusual in France's judicial system, which typically provides anonymity to victims in rape cases.

Her legal team, led by attorney Stéphane Babonneau, has argued that the videos are crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the case. "It's a unique case," said Babonneau. "We have dozens, hundreds of videos of a rape. Gisèle Pelicot believes that this shock wave is necessary, so that no one can say after this: 'I didn't know this was rape.'"

Many of the defendants deny the rape allegations, arguing a range of defenses from being tricked or forced by Dominique Pelicot to believing they had her consent. The videos, however, offer stark visual evidence that contradicts their claims. Prior to Judge Arata's latest decision, such recordings were only viewed behind closed doors and on a case-by-case basis.

The initial ruling on September 20 to restrict video viewings was overturned after appeals from France's Judicial Press Association and Pelicot's lawyers. Journalists covering the trial, including Jean-Philippe Deniau of France Inter Radio, have emphasized the importance of these videos for public understanding. Deniau, who witnessed one of the recordings, noted that it cast significant doubt on the defendants' claims of consensual interactions.

The reversal by Judge Arata is a pivotal moment in a case that not only seeks justice for Gisèle Pelicot but also aims to set a precedent in how sexual violence cases are perceived and prosecuted in France.