Mazan Rape Case: Accused Husamettin Dogan's Prison Sentence Increased to 10 Years on Appeal

On October 9, 2025, Husamettin Dogan, the sole accused in the Mazan rape case involving victim Gisèle Pelicot, saw his prison sentence increased to ten years following his appeal. This sentence is one year longer than the initial nine-year sentence handed down in December 2024, reflecting the court's harsher stance on the crime.

The public prosecutor, Dominique Sié, had requested a twelve-year sentence, underscoring the gravity of the offense and Dogan's refusal to accept responsibility. Sié emphasized the profound impact of rape, describing it as a "small death," and lamented Dogan’s denial of the victim’s humanity. The prosecutor stated, "With hindsight, given his rigid stance and refusal to assume his responsibilities, this twelve-year sentence takes on its full significance."

Dogan’s defense argued that he lacked intent to commit rape, claiming the act was part of a consensual libertine encounter. However, Sié countered this by pointing out that sexual acts performed on an unconscious individual constitute rape regardless of claimed intentions. He stressed that legal intent is defined by the awareness of one's actions and decisively dismissed the notion that silence equates to consent.

This decision highlights the judiciary's effort to address sexual violence seriously and ensure accountability, taking into account both the nature of the crime and the perpetrator's attitude during the legal process. Further details on the case are awaited as the legal proceedings continue.