Briefing
Outside the Potsdam Regional Court began the trial on 2 November 2026 of a former paediatrician at Havelland Clinics began. The Potsdam Public Prosecutor’s Office has charged the defendant with 130 offences against sexual self-determination. The alleged offences are said to have taken place, according to the indictment, between December 2013 and November 2025. The defendant has been in remand in custody.
The investigation began in November 2025 after a report was made. Investigators searched residential and work premises and examined data storage devices. The public prosecutor’s office filed charges on 6 May 2026. Potsdam Regional Court admitted the case for trial in August 2026. According to the prosecution, there are more than 70 alleged victims. The number of named victims has not been fully disclosed for investigative reasons.
According to Havelland Clinics, the doctor worked until 2025 at its sites in Rathenow and Nauen . In previous statements, clinic representatives said that internal reviews had been conducted and that discussions had taken place with affected people and staff. The specific employment or regulatory consequences remain partly unclear. The clinics also referred to ongoing proceedings and data protection.
The trial will focus on the examination of evidence relating to each alleged offence. The court will hear witnesses and consider evidence; a final assessment will be made only in the judgment. The defence has said it will reject the allegations and seek a comprehensive examination of the facts. The presumption of innocence applies until a final, binding decision is reached.
Beyond the individual case, the proceedings draw attention to child protection in medical institutions. Reporting procedures, oversight and the handling of suspected cases are under discussion. Victims’ organisations are calling for a transparent investigation and binding prevention standards. In Brandenburg the relevant authorities say they are reviewing whether existing control mechanisms are sufficient and where they need to be strengthened.
Statements from investigative and clinic sources are attributed accordingly. The outcome of the proceedings is uncertain; any predictions about the sentence would be speculation at this stage.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).