The Court of Appeal has increased the sentence for a doctor convicted of assaulting patients between 2021 and 2024. Initially sentenced to seven years, Christian Abi-Khalil now faces eight years in prison for multiple counts of rape. The court emphasized the severity of the crimes due to the doctor-patient relationship. Abi-Khalil denies the charges, claiming his actions were medically justified, and plans to appeal.
Doctor's Sentence Increased for Assaulting Patients
Doctor's Sentence Increased for Assaulting Patients
The Court of Appeal has increased the sentence for the doctor convicted of assaults on patients between 2021 and 2024.
Last year, a patient reported an unsettling medical visit in Uppsala. Doctor Christian Abi-Khalil, 39, became the focus of suspicions regarding sexual assaults during medical examinations.
One victim recounted in testimony being forced to undress completely when seeking help for weight issues.
– I was skeptical and asked why. He just said that's how it works. Then he held me down on the examination table and asked me to lower my underwear so that my genitals were exposed, the patient stated in testimony.
In June this year, he was sentenced to seven years in prison by the Uppsala District Court – a sentence now increased by the Svea Court of Appeal.
Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison
The Court of Appeal considers the crimes particularly serious due to the doctor-patient relationship.
The court noted that each assault could be compared to intercourse.
The District Court convicted Christian Abi-Khalil of sexual assault in eight cases and rape in two. The Court of Appeal has increased the sentence, convicting him of rape in all ten cases, resulting in an eight-year prison sentence. His medical license is likely to be revoked.
Christian Abi-Khalil has consistently denied the charges, claiming all his actions were medically justified.
Abi-Khalil's defense attorney, Anders Sjögren, expressed clear dissatisfaction with the verdict.
– The immediate reaction is one of great disappointment. The verdict contains significant flaws, he believes.
He argues that Christian Abi-Khalil should have been completely acquitted.
– Christian has done exactly what he is obliged to do, namely a thorough examination, says Anders Sjögren, who also states that the verdict will be appealed.