Doctor remanded again for sexual assault

A 43-YEAR-OLD anaesthesiologist was remanded for a further eight days yesterday by Famagusta District court in connection with a range of offences including rape and sexual assault, after a second patient came forward.

He was first arrested ten days ago after police, acting on a complaint filed by a female patient, searched his premises and found a number of banned drugs. The following day he was remanded into custody for eight days after which he was released.

According to police spokesman, Michalis Katsounotos, he was then arrested again on Tuesday after the second woman made a complaint about him. Police are investigating the same offences for the second complaint.

The proceedings were held behind closed doors again.

The 43-year-old allegedly committed the offences between June and October of this year. Even though the suspect is an anaesthesiologist that collaborates with a clinic the offences under investigation relate to his private practice where he operates under a different specialty. The specialty has not been named to protect his identity.

“Up till now 45 statements have been submitted from the suspect’s familial, social and professional environment but there are a large number of statements still to be taken,” said Katsounotos, adding that police have began taking statements, with the support of a psychologist, from the doctor’s patients. He would not comment on what may or may not come up from these statements.

Katsounotos said that more evidence has been confiscated and they are also awaiting the results of the tests on the evidence that has already been seized. 

Police are investigating nine types of offences: rape, inducing a sedative state with the purpose of committing a felony and a misdemeanour, sexual exploitation of an adult, corrupting a woman via threats or the administering of medicines, indecent assault against a woman, illegal possession and administering of banned medical concoctions, assault causing actual bodily harm, illegal possession of a firearm and gains from illicit activities. 

 

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