"Mr. Le Scouarnec, please stand."

Joël Le Scouarnec stood up. The presiding judge and the defendant looked at each other before the criminal court in Vannes.

"What do you have to say?" From the dock, a monotonous murmur rose: "It was rape, I admit it. But I don't remember anything, I'm sorry. I ask for forgiveness."

Over the three-month trial, these words echoed countless times, marking the recounting of each of the 299 alleged victims. One day, at the end of an endless court session, Le Scouarnec, 74 years old, stood up, shoulders slumped, exhausted, and began to say without being asked: "It was rape, I admit it..." In the public gallery, equally weary, a group of victims exchanged glances. Some laughed; others cried.

For the defendant's final questioning on Tuesday, May 20, before the closing arguments and the prosecutor's closing statement, presiding judge Aude Buresi asked, "Can you understand that some plaintiffs found your apologies somewhat mechanical, that they doubt you have a genuine capacity for empathy?" His answer, perhaps tinged with polite weariness: "I've been asked this many times, I've already answered: It's because there are so many victims, they followed one after another."

You have 79.03% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.