Frederic Pechier, a 53-year-old anesthetist, was sentenced to life in prison after a court found he poisoned 30 patients in Besançon between 2008 and 2017, causing 12 deaths. Prosecutors say he contaminated IV bags with substances such as potassium and adrenaline to trigger cardiac arrests and to harm colleagues. Pechier denies the charges and will appeal. The verdict has renewed concerns about medical oversight after another recent high-profile case involving patient abuse.
French Anesthetist Sentenced to Life for Poisoning 30 Patients; 12 Dead
French former anesthetist Frederic Pechier arrives at Besancon's courthouse on the day his lawyer is due to present from today onwards the defense's closing arguments in Besancon, eastern France, on December 15, 2025. Frederic Pechier, 53, is accused of intentionally poisoning 30 patients, 12 of whom died, in an alleged attempt to show off his resuscitation skills and discredit co-workers. / Credit: ARNAUD FINISTRE /AFP via Getty Images
A French court on Thursday sentenced Frederic Pechier, a 53-year-old anesthetist, to life in prison after finding him guilty of poisoning 30 patients at two clinics in Besançon — 12 of whom died. Prosecutors said the attacks, carried out between 2008 and 2017, were intended to discredit and psychologically wound colleagues.
Case Overview
The probe, opened in 2017, followed an unusual pattern of cardiac arrests among patients considered low-risk during routine operations. Investigators traced a series of suspicious incidents across two clinics and eventually linked them to deliberate contamination of intravenous (IV) fluids.
Alleged Method and Motive
Prosecutors told the court that IV bags were tampered with and contaminated with substances including potassium, local anesthetics, adrenaline and an anticoagulant. According to the prosecution, these substances were introduced to provoke cardiac arrest or severe bleeding in patients being treated by other clinicians. Authorities say the aim was to undermine colleagues and to satisfy what prosecutors described as a 'thirst for power.'
Trial, Verdict and Appeal
During a trial that lasted more than three months, prosecutors urged the court to impose the harshest penalty, arguing that Pechier 'used medicine to kill.' The presiding judge, Delphine Thibierge, ordered immediate incarceration at sentencing. Pechier, who has consistently denied the charges, said he was not responsible and intends to appeal. His lawyer Ornella Spatafora confirmed the defense will lodge an appeal.
Victims and Reactions
The youngest identified victim was a four-year-old boy known as Teddy, who survived two cardiac arrests during a routine tonsillectomy in 2016; the oldest victim was 89. Twelve patients could not be revived. In court Pechier appeared largely unmoved while several family members broke down in tears. Some colleagues described him as a "star" anesthetist; others called him arrogant and manipulative. Media reports also noted that one of his former lawyers withdrew from the defense citing insufficient payment.
Aftermath and Wider Concerns
The case has renewed scrutiny of hospital oversight and workplace safeguards. It follows a separate high-profile conviction in May of retired doctor Joel Le Scouarnec, who received a 20-year sentence for sexual assaults on hundreds of patients. That earlier case had already raised questions about how warning signs are handled within the medical community.
Pechier has denied wrongdoing and told the court he was not the poisoner; he has said his career and family have been devastated by the accusations.
Investigations and appeals are expected to continue as authorities and the legal system examine both individual responsibility and institutional failures that allowed these incidents to occur over an extended period.
