Over a dozen men convicted of raping or sexually assaulting Gisèle Pelicot at Dominique Pelicot’s request have announced plans to appeal their sentences.

BBC reports that 17 out of the 49 men have requested, with more potentially joining before the December 30 deadline.

Among those appealing are Charly Arbo, 30, sentenced to 13 years for six separate assaults, construction worker Simoné Mekenese, 43, sentenced to nine years, and nurse Redouane El Farihi, 55, who received an eight-year sentence.  

The men maintained Mr Pelicot misled them and were unaware that Ms Pelicot had not consented. 

Mr Mekenese’s lawyer, Yannick Prat, has called the sentence “disproportionate” but acknowledged the challenges they face with the new trial. 

“Facing a popular jury could lead to a stricter sentence, but we are ready to present our case,” he said.

Mr Pelicot, the orchestrator of the drugging and raping of his wife, will not appeal his 20-year prison sentence. 

His lawyer, Béatrice Zavarro, confirmed the decision, noting that Mr Pelicot “is ready to be done with this case.”