New Delhi, Jan. 27 -- Over a year ago, France was shaken by a shocking case in which dozens of men were accused of raping a drugged woman, Gisele Pelicot, with the help of her husband. The country is still grappling with the prevalence of drug-facilitated sexual assault as a former senator goes on trial, accused of slipping MDMA into a fellow lawmaker's drink in order to abuse her.

Joel Guerriau, 68, is accused of putting the drug MDMA, known as ecstasy, in a glass of champagne he served to lawmaker Sandrine Josso in November 2023. He has admitted serving her a drink spiked with MDMA but says it was an accident.

Josso 50, has since been outspoken about the case and helped lead a parliamentary investigation into drug-related crimes.

The...