Pechier worked as an anesthesiologist at two clinics in Besancon, eastern France, from 2008 to 2017. He is accused of inducing cardiac arrests in patients to showcase his resuscitation skills and discredit colleagues. His youngest alleged victim, 4-year-old Teddy, survived two cardiac arrests during a routine tonsillectomy in 2016. The oldest victim was 89.

This trial marks the end of an eight-year investigation that shocked the medical community. Pechier denies all charges.

Arriving at court, Pechier told the media he had "strong arguments" for his defense. When asked about the suffering of the victims' families attending the trial, he responded, "I fully sympathize, but on the other hand, I am not responsible for their suffering".

Pechier faces life imprisonment if convicted. He is currently not in custody but under judicial supervision, an alternative to pre-trial detention.

He stopped practicing medicine in 2017, although he was allowed to resume practice in 2023 on the condition he has no contact with patients.

Prosecutor Etienne Manteaux stated the case is "unprecedented in French legal history".

Frederic Pechier attracted significant attention upon arriving at court on 8/9. Photo: *20minutes*

The investigation began in 2017 following a series of suspicious cardiac arrests during surgeries on patients considered low-risk.

Pechier is suspected of tampering with colleagues' paracetamol or anesthetic bags to create emergencies in the operating room. He would then demonstrate his resuscitation skills and criticize colleagues for "medical errors".

The prosecutor alleges Pechier poisoned healthy patients to harm colleagues with whom he had conflicts. "Pechier was the first to react when a cardiac arrest occurred. He always had a solution," Manteaux added.

Some colleagues described Pechier as a "brilliant anesthesiologist", while others found him arrogant and manipulative. One colleague stated Pechier "believed he was the best".

During the investigation, authorities reviewed over 70 reports of unexpected complications or deaths in patients. The cases of 30 patients who suffered cardiac arrests during surgery at Saint-Vincent Clinic and Franche-Comte General Hospital are being considered in the trial.

"It's easy to accuse people, but very difficult to prove," one of Pechier's lawyers told the media.

In the first two weeks, the court will examine the most recent incidents that aroused police suspicion and led to Pechier's investigation in 2017. The trial is expected to last until December.

Tue Anh (*AFP*)