Dominique Pelicot, the Frenchman accused of drugging his wife and recruiting dozens of strangers to rape her over nearly a decade, on Tuesday admitted the various charges he faces and begged his family’s forgiveness, French media reported.
Pelicot had been due to testify last week in a case that has shocked France, but his appearance was delayed due to health issues. He appeared in court with a cane.
“I admit to the charges in their entirety,” the 71-year-old was cited as saying by BFM TV, whose reporter was present in the courthouse.
“I am a rapist just like all the others in this room … I ask my wife, my children, my grandchildren to accept my apologies. I regret what I did. I ask for your forgiveness, even if it is not forgivable,” he said, according to French media.
“They all knew” that he was inviting them to rape her, he said.