The trial of retired French surgeon Joël Le Scouarnec commenced on charges of sexual abuse involving 299 victims, mainly children, considered as France's most significant pedophilia case.
Trial Begins for French Surgeon Accused of Extensive Child Abuse
Trial Begins for French Surgeon Accused of Extensive Child Abuse
Joël Le Scouarnec faces charges for allegedly abusing 299 minors over a 25-year career.
The trial of Joël Le Scouarnec, a former surgeon aged 74, commenced on Monday in Vannes, Brittany, amid grave allegations of sexual assault and rape involving 299 victims, predominantly underage patients. Dubbed one of the largest pedophilia cases in France, the accusations span a 25-year period from 1989 to 2014. The alleged crimes primarily involve former patients, many of whom were children at the time, with an average age of around 11.
As the trial opened, Le Scouarnec appeared calm and composed when asked to confirm his identity and previous profession in court. The proceedings are expected to unfold over the next four months and are attracting significant media attention due to the shocking scale of abuse alleged against a medical professional.
Le Scouarnec's victims are reported to be scattered across various regions in France, following his extensive career that took him from Indre-et-Loire to Brittany and Charente-Maritime, where he worked in both private clinics and public hospitals. The weight of the charges continues to raise critical questions regarding institutional responsibilities and patient safety in healthcare settings.
