A rape trial in France will hear a woman’s testimony of yearslong ordeal of drugging and abuse

Gisele Pelicot, left, arrives in the Avignon court house, in Avignon, southern France, on Sept 5, 2024. A woman allegedly drugged by her ex-husband so that she could be raped by other men while she laid unconscious, is expected to testify before a panel of French judges. — AP

AVIGNON, France: A woman who was allegedly drugged by her now ex-husband so that she could be raped by other men while she was unconscious is expected to testify Thursday before a panel of French judges on her yearslong ordeal.

Her former spouse, Dominique Pélicot, now 71, and 50 other men are standing trial on charges of rape and face up to 20 years in prison. The trial started on Monday in the southern city of Avignon and is expected to run until December.