Why is a French doctor accused of poisoning 30 patients?

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French Doctor Accused of Poisoning 30 Patients Amid Allegations of Professional Rivalry

A French anaesthetist, Frédéric Pechier, is on trial accused of intentionally poisoning 30 patients, 12 of whom died, between 2008 and 2017 at two clinics in Besançon. Investigators suspect Pechier tampered with colleagues' medical supplies to trigger emergencies, which he would then attend to, allegedly to showcase his resuscitation skills and discredit his colleagues. The charges follow a seven-year investigation into suspicious cardiac arrests that occurred under his watch.
Alleged Motive of Professional Sabotage

The prosecution alleges that Pechier's motive was to create critical situations where he could demonstrate his expertise in resuscitation and simultaneously undermine the competence of his fellow medical professionals with whom he reportedly had conflicts. Prosecutors described his alleged actions as poisoning patients specifically to harm colleagues. Pechier, who has denied all charges, faces a potential life sentence if convicted.
Suspicious Cardiac Arrests Between 2008 and 2017

The alleged poisonings occurred at two Besançon clinics where patients experienced cardiac arrest under unusual circumstances over a nine-year period. Among the 30 patients involved, 12 did not survive. The case includes the alleged victimisation of a four-year-old child who suffered two cardiac arrests during a routine tonsil operation in 2016 but survived, and the death of an 89-year-old patient.
Seven-Year Investigation and Unprecedented Scale

This trial, set to run until December, stems from a seven-year investigation that has sent shockwaves through the French medical community. Over 70 cases of unexpected complications or deaths were examined, with 30 progressing to the trial stage. The case is described by the prosecutor as unprecedented in French legal history due to its scale, duration, and technical complexity, involving more than 150 civil parties and 55 lawyers.

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Why is a French doctor accused of poisoning 30 patients?

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