French doctor charged with ‘poisoning’ 24

A French doctor already under investigation for poisoning seven patients has been charged with poisoning 17 more people at a clinic in eastern France, one of his lawyers said.

Frederic Pechier, 47, now stands charged in 24 cases, nine of which resulted in death, after working as an anaesthesiologist at two private clinics in Besancon.

If convicted, Mr. Pechier could face a life sentence. He was freed last night on conditional release.

Mr. Pechier, first charged in 2017 for two deaths in seven poisoning cases over last 10 years, was brought in for questioning this week over 66 more suspicious cardiac arrests during operations.