French judge allows public and press to view video evidence in high-profile rape trial

A French court has ruled that the public can be present when video evidence is screened in a highly publicized rape trial. The case involves a 71-year-old man, Dominique Pelicot, who has confessed to drugging his wife and inviting strangers to rape her in their family home between 2011 and 2020. The main accused's ex-wife, Gisèle Pelicot, has hailed the court's decision as a "victory", as it will allow the public to see some of the video recordings of the alleged rapes. The screening of the images will be preceded by an announcement allowing people of a sensitive disposition and minors to leave the courtroom.