A French appeals court has handed a stiffer 10-year sentence to the only man who challenged his conviction for raping Gisèle Pelicot while she was drugged and unconscious.

Husamettin Dogan, a 44-year-old construction worker, had been sentenced to nine years in prison in the first drugging-and-rape trial last year that riveted France and turned Pelicot into a global icon against sexual violence.

The appeals jury was composed of three judges as well as nine ordinary citizens. The first trial that gave Dogan a lesser sentence was heard by five judges.

His lawyer, Jean-Marc Darrigade, said on Thursday (Friday AEST) Dogan won't appeal again. "He's very tired and accepts the decision," he said.

"The extra year is more symbolic than anything else."

The 50 other men convicted last December di

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