Filenews 6 August 2021
A 53-year-old doctor from Larnaca, who was reported to have given a fake vaccination certificate to a 41-year-old man who was infected with COVID19 and is being treated intubated, was arrested in the late afternoon.
The complaint was made to the police by a relative of the patient. The doctor allegedly gave false certificates to two other people.
Police are investigating against him a conspiracy to commit a felony, forgery of an official document, circulation of a forged document, obtaining registration with false representations, negligent acts causing bodily harm and violations of the General Health System Act.
The above offences were committed between the dates 26 April and 6 August in Larnaca.
According to the evidence under investigation, three persons who are hospitalized in a serious/critical condition with COVID 19 disease are alleged to hold a false vaccination certificate issued by the suspect.
The 53-year-old was arrested tonight on a court warrant and taken into custody to facilitate interrogations.
The Larnaca T.E.O. continues the examinations.
PIS: No tolerance for acts that tarnish the prestige of doctors
The Cyprus Medical Association, regarding the complaint against a doctor for a case of a fake vaccination certificate "sends a strong message that it shows no tolerance for any conduct and/or actions of its member doctors, which endanger public health and tarnish the scientific prestige of the entire medical community of Cyprus".
PIS says it requires a full investigation of the complaint by the relevant police authorities and states that it is at the disposal of the Police to provide any assistance requested.
Karaiskakis: Maximum act of criminal liability
"Insult to the medical profession" described the 53-year-old doctor's act, posting on his personal Facebook account, the president of the Limassol Medical Association Marios Karaiskakis.
"Doing a medical procedure and unwittingly causing a complication or even death is something accepted by Medical Science. To do an act which, in your knowledge, can also cause the death of someone - and indeed by bribery, is not only immoral and unethical, it is a maximum act of criminal responsibility to the extent of manslaughter - not negligently but intentionally."
"While we struggle on a daily basis to find an Intensive bed to save a life... And in the last few days we've gone crazy with the situation - some of them made the smart ones for money. Criminal!" he adds.
