A former anaesthetist has gone on trial in the city of Besançon, in eastern France, accused of intentionally poisoning 30 people, including 12 patients who died.
Frédéric Péchier, 53, considered by colleagues to be a highly-talented practitioner, was first placed under investigation eight years ago when he was suspected of poisoning patients at two clinics in the city between 2008 and 2017.
Despite the serious charges against him, Mr Péchier has remained at liberty under judicial supervision and told French radio on Monday that there was no proof of any poisoning.
The trial is set to last more than three months and involves more than 150 civil parties representing the 30 alleged victims.
Allegations of poisoning emerged in January 2017, when a 36-year-old patient called Sandra Simard, who was otherwise healthy, had surgery on her spine and her heart stopped beating.
After an intensive care physician failed to revive her, Frédéric Péchier gave her an injection, and the patient went into a coma and survived. Intravenous drugs used to treat her showed concentrations of potassium 100 times the expected dose, prompting local prosecutors to take action.
Another serious incident involving a 70-year-old man occurred shortly after, during which Mr Péchier claimed to have found tampered bags of paracetamol following a general anaesthetic he administered.
Though Mr Péchier contends he is being framed, subsequent serious incidents led to him being formally investigated.
One of Mr Péchier's lawyers stated he awaited eight years to present his case and prove his innocence. He mentioned that the hospital reported several serious adverse events even after his departure.
Investigators looked into multiple alarming incidents dating back to 2008, including patients aged four to 89 at the two major healthcare centers he worked at in Besançon, leading to numerous fatalities and resuscitations for patients with no prior heart conditions.
Twelve suspicious death cases in this period, including that of Damien Iehlen, who died from a lethal dosage of lidocaine during a routine operation, have surfaced.
The prosecution claims Mr Péchier tampered with intravenous medicines, allegedly out of revenge against his colleagues. If convicted of these charges, he could face life in prison.
This case not only emphasizes the potential pitfalls within medical practice but also raises critical discussions around accountability and trust in healthcare professionals.
