Former French Surgeon Faces Trial For Abusing Patients

A former French surgeon, Joel Le Scouarnec, 74, is set to face trial later this month for serious misconduct allegations involving nearly 300 former patients, most of them minors, between 1989 and 2014 across western France.

Previous Convictions

Le Scouarnec, once a respected small-town surgeon, has been in custody since 2017 following accusations of misconduct involving young individuals, including family members. In 2020, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Despite a prior conviction in 2005 related to inappropriate content, he continued his medical career without restrictions, working at various hospitals until his retirement in 2017.

Upcoming Trial

His new trial, set to begin on February 24 in Vannes, Brittany, will address additional claims of misconduct during his time at multiple medical institutions. According to regional prosecutor Stephane Kellenberger, Le Scouarnec has “acknowledged his involvement in many of the events in question” as well as efforts to conceal his actions.

Investigators found extensive records at his home, including written accounts detailing incidents over 25 years. The trial will be public, except for testimonies from individuals who were minors at the time, which will take place behind closed doors.

If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years, as French law does not allow consecutive sentencing even in cases involving multiple individuals.

Many individuals affected by the case have expressed deep distress upon learning about the full extent of the allegations.