A retired Vietnamese-born gynaecologist is set to stand trial in France for allegedly raping or sexually assaulting more than 100 patients over several decades, a source close to the case confirmed on Tuesday.
Phuoc-Vinh Tran, 74, has consistently denied the accusations throughout an investigation that spanned more than ten years.
The first complaint against Tran, who practised in Domont, a town 40 kilometres (25 miles) north of Paris, was lodged in 2013. Since then, 133 women have come forward, describing similar experiences of alleged abuse, according to an indictment seen by AFP.
An investigating judge noted that media coverage of the case had encouraged more victims to step forward. The women were aged between 18 and 52 at the time of the alleged assaults.
The judge highlighted the “serial nature” of the accusations, stating that the “sexual nature of the vaginal touching” could not be justified as a legitimate medical procedure.
According to the investigation, Tran would allegedly touch his patients’ thighs, lower abdomen, or clitoris during examinations and ask about their “sexual pleasure.” Many victims reportedly remained silent while lying on the examination table.
Tran defended himself by claiming he had “practised gynaecology gently” or followed “an Asian method.” He also dismissed the allegations as a “plot” against him, fuelled by media coverage.
Due to the statute of limitations, Tran will stand trial for allegedly assaulting 112 patients, while other cases have been dropped.
His case follows a similar trial in France involving retired surgeon Joel Le Scouarnec, 74, who is accused of sexually assaulting or raping 299 patients, most of them minors.
