Europe 1 with AFP // Photo credit: GARO / Phanie / Phanie via AFP 8:10 p.m., February 23, 2024

A gynecologist from Arras, indicted in 2015 for rape and sexual assault, was removed from the Order of Physicians, which the practitioner appealed.

The latter maintains "that he is innocent", his lawyer evokes "an internal settling of scores at the Order of Physicians". 

Indicted in 2015 for rape and sexual assault on several ex-patients, a gynecologist from Arras (Pas-de-Calais) was removed from the Order of Physicians, according to a decision consulted by AFP, including the practitioner appealed.

Bernard Henric, who has been practicing since 1993, has been banned from practicing gynecology since his indictment in November 2015.

But he still carries out consultations in endocrinology and diabetology, his specialties.

70 complaints were filed

The Arrageois doctor, who "continues to maintain that he is innocent", appealed the decision, which would otherwise have taken effect on April 1, his lawyer, Frank Berton, told AFP, referring to a "regulation of internal accounts of the Order of Physicians".

The disciplinary chamber of the Hauts-de-France Order of Physicians heard six ex-patients testifying to penetration or vaginal touching, several evoking "back and forth movements" carried out by the practitioner with his fingers, is - he writes in the decision rendered Thursday, spotted by 20 Minutes.

>> READ ALSO - 

INFO EUROPE 1 - Paris: a 66-year-old woman raped at her home by a fake doctor

“The data acquired from science in no way authorizes such practices which are, in this case, of a purely sexual nature,” it is indicated in the decision.

The practitioner has, “by his purely deviant behavior, abused the authority conferred by the function of doctor”, it is added.

The Order of Physicians further emphasizes that Dr Henric, registered on the Order's roll "as a specialist in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolic disease", "mistakenly" claimed to be a gynecologist, having not obtained none of the required diplomas.

The complaints are "70 in number to date", assured during the hearing on February 9, Doctor Francis Meurin, president of the departmental council of the Order of Physicians, according to the judgment of the disciplinary chamber.

A “completely fanciful” figure, replies Frank Berton.

Contacted by AFP, the Béthune public prosecutor's office had not responded late Friday afternoon.