A French anaesthetist, Frédéric Péchier, 53, has gone on trial accused of deliberately poisoning 30 patients—ranging from young children to elderly adults—in a chilling scheme to provoke medical emergencies, boost his reputation, and discredit co-workers. Twelve of the victims tragically died.

Between 2008 and 2017, Péchier worked at two clinics in Besançon, eastern France, where a series of suspicious cardiac arrests occurred during routine operations. The youngest alleged victim was a four-year-old boy named Teddy, who survived two induced cardiac arrests during a tonsil surgery in 2016. The oldest was 89 years old.

Prosecutors claim Péchier intentionally caused heart attacks by tampering with medication and anesthetic supplies, creating life-threatening situations that allowed him to appear as the “hero” who could save patients, thereby undermining his colleagues.

“What he is accused of is poisoning healthy patients to harm colleagues with whom he was in conflict,” said prosecutor Étienne Manteaux.
“Frédéric Péchier was always the first responder when cardiac arrest occurred—he always had a solution.”

The case has sent shockwaves through the French medical community and is described by officials as “unprecedented” in the country’s legal history.

Péchier denies the allegations, blaming many incidents on medical errors by others. Arriving at court, he greeted supporters and stated he has “strong arguments” to defend himself, adding, “I understand the families’ suffering, but I am not responsible for their distress.”

He faces life imprisonment if convicted. Despite the accusations, Péchier has not been in custody but remains under judicial supervision. He stopped practicing medicine in 2017, although in 2023 he was authorized to work under strict conditions excluding patient contact.

Families of victims have waited years for justice. Amandine Iehlen, whose father died during kidney surgery in 2008 from a lethal overdose of lidocaine, expressed relief: “I’ve been waiting for this for 17 years.”

The investigation began in 2017 after multiple low-risk patients experienced cardiac arrests under Péchier’s care. Authorities uncovered evidence suggesting he sabotaged colleagues by contaminating paracetamol bags and anesthesia pouches to provoke emergencies.

Descriptions of Péchier vary: some colleagues called him a “star anaesthetist,” while others labeled him arrogant and manipulative. One said he fancied himself as “Zorro,” the heroic savior.

Investigators reviewed over 70 reports of “serious adverse events” before focusing on 30 cases linked to Péchier that formed the basis of the trial.

The trial, expected to last several months, will first examine the most recent suspicious cases before delving into each alleged poisoning in detail. More than 150 civil parties—families of victims—are involved.

Lawyers representing victims warn it will be a grueling legal marathon, but are confident that evidence will point clearly to Péchier.

Péchier’s defense insists the accusations are unproven.

“It’s easy to accuse, but harder to prove,” said defense attorney Randall Schwerdorffer.

The trial, ongoing until December, is closely watched as it raises profound questions about trust, ethics, and safety in healthcare.