Dominique Pelicot, the Frenchman convicted of drugging and raping his then-wife, Gisèle Pelicot, and orchestrating similar attacks by dozens of men over more than a decade, has decided not to appeal his 20-year prison sentence. His lawyer, Béatrice Zavarro, confirmed the decision on Monday.

Pelicot was convicted earlier this month alongside 50 co-defendants, whose sentences ranged from three to 15 years. The case, which gripped France and drew international attention, highlighted the extraordinary courage of Gisèle Pelicot, who endured the three-month trial with dignity.

“Dominique Pelicot has decided not to appeal the verdict,” Zavarro told AFP and Franceinfo, explaining that her client sought to spare Gisèle further “ordeal” and “new confrontations.” She added, “It is time to bring this matter to a judicial close.”

Seventeen of Pelicot’s co-defendants, however, have filed appeals ahead of Monday’s deadline.

Gisèle Pelicot’s lawyer, Stéphane Babonneau, has affirmed her readiness to face another trial if necessary, emphasizing her resilience despite her age of 72. “She has made it clear that she would be prepared—health permitting—to confront the process again,” Babonneau said in an interview with France Inter radio.

Throughout the trial, Gisèle Pelicot’s decision to reject a closed hearing was widely lauded as a powerful stand against the stigma surrounding rape, shifting the focus of shame from victims to perpetrators. Her bravery continues to inspire others in the fight for justice.