Roger Abdelmassih

Roger Abdelmassih (born 3 October 1943) is a Brazilian former physician, an expert on human reproduction, and one of the pioneers of in-vitro fertilization in Brazil. In early 2009 he was accused of sexually abusing sedated patients. Abdelmassih was sentenced to 278 years in prison for 52 rapes and 39 attempted sexual abuses on women.

Biography

Abdelmassih was born in São João da Boa Vista, São Paulo to Lebanese parents. Over the course of his medical career, he ran a clinic in an upscale area of the state capital and became nationally known for treating the wives of celebrities such as Pelé, the former president Fernando Collor, comedian Tom Cavalcante and the Senator Renan Calheiros. One of his most publicized cases was the twin daughters of the television presenter Gugu Liberato.

Accusation of sexual abuse

Beginning in early 2009, several sources in the Brazilian press reported allegations that the doctor had sexually abused patients, while Abdelmassih denied the charges. There were more than 60 complaints from former patients in three different states. Abdelmassih denied the charges, saying he was being pursued by dissatisfied clients and competitors trying to frame him.

On 17 August 2009, Bruno Paes Stranforini, Judge of the 16th Criminal Court of São Paulo, ordered Abdelmassih's arrest. On 24 December, after four months in jail, Abdelmassih was released after Gilmar Mendes, the president of the Supreme Federal Court, granted him habeas corpus, revoking his preventive custody.

Roger Abdelmassih had his professional registration revoked on 20 May 2011, and was sentenced on 23 November 2010, to 278 years in prison by Judge Kenarik Boujikian Felippe of the 16th Criminal Court of São Paulo. He was charged with raping 56 patients in his clinic.