Retired French surgeon can rape or commit other acts of a sexual nature in relation to the 349 children in the course of what was called the largest case of child molestation in France, said the prosecutors.
Joël Le Scouarnec (68 years old) will stand trial in March for raping and sexually abusing 4 children. Scouarnec is accused of raping a 6-year-old girl, the child abuse-patient, and indecent exposure. Prosecutors believe that victims could be hundreds over his 30-year career at hospitals in Central and Western France.
After charges were filed, investigators said that they found the secret diaries, in which the man described the sex scene with dozens of other children. The children’s names were named, which allowed police to track them and to obtain evidence and also be additional charges.
Lawyers for the accused argue that the diaries were «fantasies». Lorelein of Purefit, the chief Prosecutor of Lorient in Brittany, said that the number of potential victims could reach 349. Overall, the investigators interviewed 229 people, of whom 197 had supported the prosecution, as stated by the Prosecutor.
It is assumed that sexual acts occurred between 1989 and 2017, i.e. until the dismissal of surgeon. It is reported that in many cases, the alleged crimes occurred too long ago that under French law it was possible to bring charges. The lawyer for one of the alleged victims Francesca Satta said, «the victim remembers that he had experienced, but never talked about it because I was afraid».
Pensioner threaten up to 20 years in prison if found guilty on the main charges. At the moment he is in prison awaiting trial in Senta from 13 to 17 March.
