Germany Awaits Verdict in Chilling ‘German Pelicot’ Case Involving Husband Accused of Drugging and Raping Wife for Years

Aachen, Germany – As the world marks the one-year anniversary of the landmark verdict in France’s Dominique Pelicot mass rape trial, a similar horrifying case unfolds in Germany, where a 61-year-old man stands accused of secretly drugging his wife, raping her while unconscious, and sharing explicit videos of the abuse online over nearly 15 years.

Prosecutors in the western German city of Aachen allege that the defendant, a former school janitor identified only as Fernando P. due to local privacy laws, began abusing his then-wife in 2009. He is said to have rendered her unconscious with medication, assaulted her in their family home, filmed the acts, and posted the material on dark web forums and messaging apps without her knowledge or consent.

The trial has drawn inevitable comparisons to the high-profile French case involving Dominique Pelicot, who was convicted exactly one year ago of drugging his wife Gisèle Pelicot and recruiting dozens of strangers online to rape her over a decade. In that Avignon trial, Pelicot received a 20-year maximum sentence, while 50 other men were found guilty of aggravated rape or related charges.

In the German proceedings, the victim – now separated from her alleged abuser – has spoken out about the profound betrayal, describing how the illusion of safety in her own marriage was shattered. Advocates hope the upcoming verdict, expected Friday at the Regional Court of Aachen, will send a strong message about the dangers of chemical submission in domestic abuse cases and encourage more survivors to come forward.

“This isn’t just one man’s actions; it’s a reminder that abuse can hide in plain sight, even in long-term relationships,” said a spokesperson for a local women’s rights group supporting the victim. “Cases like the French Pelicot trial and now this one highlight how perpetrators use technology to exploit and share their crimes, often evading detection for years.”

Both cases involved perpetrators allegedly using everyday communication platforms to distribute abusive content, raising fresh concerns about online moderation and the role of digital evidence in prosecuting drug-facilitated sexual assaults.

The defendant’s lawyer has argued for leniency, claiming personal struggles, but prosecutors paint a picture of calculated, prolonged exploitation. If convicted, Fernando P. could face a lengthy prison term under Germany’s strict laws on rape and distribution of illegal imagery.

As the court prepares to deliver its decision, supporters of the victim gather outside, holding signs calling for justice and greater awareness of spousal drugging and rape – issues that remain underreported worldwide. This trial underscores a growing global reckoning with hidden forms of sexual violence in marriages and the courage it takes for survivors to seek accountability.

The outcome could influence how similar drug-facilitated rape cases involving husbands and long-term partners are handled across Europe, building on the momentum from Gisèle Pelicot’s brave public stand last year.