A French anesthetist, Frédéric Péchier, is on trial in Besançon, France, accused of intentionally poisoning 30 patients between 2008 and 2017. Twelve of the patients allegedly died.
The 53-year-old doctor is accused of contaminating paracetamol bags and anesthesia pouches used by colleagues, causing unexpected cardiac arrests during routine surgeries.
Investigators say Péchier would then intervene to revive the patients, reportedly to showcase his resuscitation skills and, allegedly, to harm colleagues with whom he had conflicts.
The investigation began in January 2017 after a healthy patient suffered cardiac arrest during a routine operation. A saline bag was found to contain a potentially lethal overdose of potassium.
Authorities reviewed over 70 “serious adverse events,” with 30 cases brought to trial. Péchier often acted as the first responder, which reportedly raised suspicions among colleagues.
Péchier denies all allegations, insisting that the incidents were caused by medical errors made by his colleagues.
The trial started on September 8, 2025, and is expected to continue until December. If convicted, Péchier faces life imprisonment. Legal experts say the case is unprecedented in France due to its scale and seriousness.
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