A German doctor accused of secretly photographing female patients during gynaecological check-ups faces complaints from at least 700 patients so far, a prosecutor said on Monday.
The man is suspected of surreptitiously photographing 3,000 women with a hidden camera. The scandal came to light in September after nurses working for the practice, in Schifferstadt, western Germany, contacted police.
The prosecutors are identifying the women and asking them if they wish to formally complain. Of 800 women contacted so far, only 100 have not pressed charges against the doctor, said public prosecutor Lothar Liebig in Frankenthal.
During their inquiry, investigators found more than 35,000 intimate photos taken from 2008 onward. Police said in September that the doctor declined to say why he installed the secret camera.
If convicted, the 58-year-old gynaecologist, who has not been named, faces a fine or a prison term of up to one year for taking photographs in breach of intimacy.
His practice has since closed. He agreed to cooperate with the inquiry and tell police which women were in the pictures. With many more pictures to be processed, the prosecutor has not yet said when the trial will begin.
Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package. 