BERLIN (FN) — A German court has convicted a 61‑year‑old man of drugging, raping, and filming his wife over nearly 15 years, a case dubbed the “German Pelicot” that has shocked Europe and reignited debate about marital abuse and hidden violence.
The defendant, a school janitor from Aachen, was accused of secretly administering sedatives to his wife beginning in 2009. Prosecutors said he repeatedly raped her while she was unconscious, recording the assaults and sharing some of the footage online without her knowledge.
The victim testified anonymously, saying she had no memory of the assaults until investigators uncovered hundreds of videos stored on the man’s devices. Police traced illicit material circulating online back to his home, leading to his arrest in 2024.
The court found him guilty of obstruction and multiple counts of sexual assault, sentencing him to a lengthy prison term. Sentencing is scheduled for early 2026, with prosecutors seeking more than 10 years behind bars. Judges emphasized the severity of his crimes and the long‑term trauma inflicted on his wife.
The case has been dubbed the “German Pelicot” because of its similarities to the French case of Dominique Pelicot, who was convicted in 2024 of orchestrating the rape of his wife by dozens of men over nearly a decade. Both cases have become symbols of systemic failures in detecting marital abuse.
Across Germany, women’s rights groups said the verdict highlights urgent gaps in protecting victims of marital rape and covert sexual violence. Advocates warned that many victims remain trapped in abusive relationships for years, unseen by authorities, and called for stronger safeguards against hidden abuse.
Legal experts noted that the use of digital evidence was crucial in securing the conviction. The videos provided irrefutable proof of the assaults, underscoring how technology can both enable abuse and expose it. The case may set precedent for how German courts handle digital exploitation in domestic settings.
Public reaction has been one of outrage and disbelief. Commentators across Europe described the case as a chilling reminder of how vulnerable victims can be when abuse occurs behind closed doors, and how difficult it is to detect without external intervention.
The German government has pledged to review laws on marital rape, digital exploitation, and long‑term abuse detection. Officials said reforms would be considered to ensure victims are better protected and perpetrators face harsher penalties.
For many, the “German Pelicot” case is not only a criminal trial but a wake‑up call. It has reignited debate about consent, trust, and the hidden dangers of domestic abuse, reminding societies that even the most private relationships can conceal devastating crimes.
