Accused in France's mass rape trial apologises to Gisele Pelicot

Gisele Pelicot, who has allegedly been drugged and raped by men solicited by her husband Dominique Pelicot, leaves the courthouse with her lawyer Stephane Babonneau during the trial of her husband with 50 co-accused, in Avignon, France, September 18, 2024. REUTERS/Antony Paone/File Photo

AVIGNON, France (Reuters) - One of more than 50 men accused of raping Frenchwoman Gisele Pelicot in a mass rape case that has shocked the world told her in court on Thursday that he was sorry for what he did.

Lionel Rodriguez is among a small number of those accused who have admitted to raping Pelicot, who was abused by dozens of strangers over nearly a decade while knocked unconscious by drugs her husband Dominique gave her without her knowing.