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Surgeon denies raping sedated patient as case shocks Murcia
Plastic surgery specialist remains in prison while defence claims video is misleading and clothing made assault impossible
A plastic surgeon accused of sexually assaulting a sedated woman during breast surgery in Murcia has categorically denied the allegations from his prison cell. Now in pretrial detention at Sangonera prison, southwest of central Murcia, without bail, he insists the supposed assault was physically impossible. His lawyer, Pablo Martínez from a top regional firm, calls it a "parallel media trial" that could ruin lives before court even begins.The nightmare unfolded on Thursday December 4 at IMED (a private Spanish hospital group) Virgen de la Fuensanta hospital on Juan Carlos I Avenue, in Murcia city. The patient, prepped for breast augmentation using fat from her pelvis, was fully under anesthesia when two nurses spotted the surgeon making "strange movements" that looked sexual.
They secretly filmed it on a mobile phone and alerted management, who called police straight away. The video, now key evidence with the judge at Molina de Segura's Court No. 4, reportedly shows penetration. The anesthesiologist was absent at times, despite rules requiring presence, as the surgeon allegedly took advantage during those gaps.
Arrested at his Alicante home on Tuesday December 9, the doctor was calm on arrival at Sangonera. A medical check found no suicide risk, so no watch was needed. He's sharing a cell in quiet Module 4, with other non-troublemaking inmates accused of violent crimes, and has seen a social worker and educator. Forensic exams on the victim are pending for biological traces, while she was unaware during sedation.
Now his defence fires back. Sources close to him say the patient wore several layers of surgical clothing plus a compression garment, blocking any contact. They also claim the video's angle distorts what really happened amid standard procedure, with a nurse and assistant always present. "Both of their lives could be ruined by this," his lawyer warns, stressing presumption of innocence.
This specialist, with 12-15 years' experience and training from Barcelona university, plus stints in Rio, Toronto, Taiwan and Mexico. He'd worked private clinics across Murcia, Alicante, Valencia, Madrid, Toledo and Santiago de Compostela, posting op-room videos online to over 7,000 Instagram followers (now deleted). SECPRE (Spanish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery) has condemned him and moved for expulsion.
IMED, who rented him the room, is backing the nurses fully and may join as injured party. Murcia's Health Ministry is offering its collaboration in providing documentation or carrying out actions deemed necessary for the successful completion of the investigation. Police probe for other victims, though sedation makes it tough. For now, the surgeon stays locked up as investigation continues.
Image: wikicommons
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