the suspects “rely on a flaw in the legal definition of rape”, explains lawyer Me Nathalie Tomasini

Among the accused in the Mazan trial, France Télévisions was able to question one of the only suspects who admits to the rape of Gisèle Pélicot. Deny the facts “is a fairly classic defense strategy among authors”underlines Me Nathalie Tomasini, lawyer specializing in domestic violence, guest on “20 Heures”, Thursday October 3. But “the central question in this Mazan rape trial is the notion of consent and the definition of rape”points out the council.

The suspects claim that they were unaware that Gisèle Pélicot was unconscious and non-consenting. “They rely on a small flaw in the legal definition of rape”continues Me Nathalie Tomasini, who explains that“there is no notion of free, voluntary and informed consent from the victim, which is mentioned” in the current judicial definition of rape. A notion mentioned on the other hand in other countries “particularly from South America”and which would have rocked the Mazan trial, the lawyer further underlines.

Watch the full interview in the video above.