A court in Nîmes, southern France, has increased the prison sentence of Husamettin Dogan, the sole defendant who contested his conviction in a harrowing rape case involving Gisèle Pelicot, a 72-year-old retired grandmother. Dogan, 44, saw his original nine-year sentence extended to 10 years after the court dismissed his appeal. The case, which has shocked the nation, involved Pelicot being drugged and raped by dozens of men recruited by her ex-husband, Dominique Pelicot, over a decade. Despite video evidence presented in court showing Dogan assaulting an unconscious Pelicot, he maintained his innocence, claiming he was unaware she had been drugged. The court, however, rejected his defense, reinforcing the gravity of the crime. Last December, Dogan and 50 other men were convicted of aggravated rape, with 17 initially appealing before withdrawing their challenges. Dogan, a Turkish-born married father, was the only one to pursue his appeal, leading to a retrial judged by a jury of nine public members and three professional judges. Prosecutors had sought a 12-year sentence for Dogan, who argued he was a victim of Dominique Pelicot’s manipulation. The case highlights the extensive abuse Pelicot endured and the role of video evidence in securing convictions. This story is developing, with further updates expected.