He is accused of inappropriate palpations by around ten patients: a general practitioner in police custody for sexual assault

Les gendarmes ont arrêté un médecin suspecté d'agression sexuelle sur ses patientes. (illustration) Midi Libre – ALEXIS BETHUNE

This Monday, March 4, 2024, a 66-year-old general practitioner was arrested by the Haut-Doubs gendarmes. The man is suspected of having sexually assaulted several of his patients.

The arrest of this doctor is the result of several weeks of work by the gendarmes. On the morning of Monday, the military arrested a 66-year-old man. The individual is suspected of having sexually assaulted nearly ten of his patients at his medical office, according to information from L'Est Républicain .

Unusual palpations

If the investigation began in April 2023, it is experiencing an important turning point this Monday. The gendarmes summoned the suspected doctor to the brigade and also carried out searches in his office.

Since the spring of last year, testimonies have multiplied from victims who indicate having suffered "inappropriate gestures and behavior& ;quot; from the 66-year-old doctor. The local brigade, in conjunction with the Pontarlier research brigade (BR), are in charge of the investigation.

One of the victims explained that the man had felt his chest during an appointment which concerned a completely different pathology. Another also mentions a palpation of the chest while he was behind his back and claims to have felt his penis erect.

The accused would act from his ephemeral office, where he would only consult a few days a week. The doctor is targeted mainly by statements from "young women".

Étienne Manteaux, public prosecutor confirmed his placement in police custody this Monday for "sexual assault by a person abusing& rsquo;authority conferred on him by his function".