French Mayor Apologizes for Insensitive Comments on Sexual Assault Case

In France, the mayor of ​a small town has apologized for making insensitive comments about a woman who‌ was sexually assaulted by dozens of people at the instigation of her husband.

Louis⁤ Bonnet,⁢ mayor of Majean, south-east France, where the incident ⁣took place, initially said, “The situation could have been worse.‌ There were no children involved ⁢and no women died.”

He ⁣added, “No one died.‌ It will be difficult for the family, but they ‌will be able to rebuild ⁢their lives.”

However, his comments sparked fierce criticism from the public, with some calling for his resignation as‍ mayor.

Mayor Bonnet later issued‌ a statement apologizing ‌to ⁣the ​victims and​ their families. “I know my ‍comments were shocking, and I am truly sorry,” he said. “I would like to apologize to the women who were hurt by my ⁣inconsiderate comments.”

The ‍case involves Dominique Pellico (72), who sedated his wife Giselle Pellico (72) between 2011 and 2020, causing her to lose⁣ consciousness, and⁤ then invited anonymous men he had recruited online to his home to sexually assault her. Fifty men who participated in the assaults are currently on trial.