Bassam El Absi, the former radiologist from Langon, in South Gironde, dismissed in 2019, will be tried from Friday November 29 before the Charente Assize Court. The septuagenarian was convicted for the first time in February 2023 in Bordeaux and sentenced to seventeen years of criminal imprisonment for rape and sexual assault committed on patients, an employee, but also on the minor daughter of a former mistress . The accused (1) appealed the first decision. Released, he is presumed innocent until the second verdict.
Five of the seven patient civil parties told their story to “Sud Ouest”. One of them agreed to testify openly to “encourage other women to speak out”. The others wished to give only their first name or remain anonymous (2).
“My ex-husband told me that the radiologist was a doctor, that he knew what he was doing, that I couldn’t do anything against him”
The alleged facts
Peggy: “The Dr El Absi inserted a probe into my vagina, stroked my clitoris and put a finger in my anus. I went to see my general practitioner. He told me that a vaginal ultrasound was not necessary given my symptoms. »
Monique: “I was followed by this radiologist as part of a PMA (medically assisted procreation). He put fingers in my vagina and anus without wearing gloves, rubbed my clitoris. He explained to me with a smile where my G-spot was. I had a lot of pain because of the back and forth of his probe. I came home, I was bleeding. I thought I lost my baby. My ex-husband didn't believe me. He always minimized the facts by telling me that the radiologist was a doctor, that he knew what he was doing, and that I could do nothing against him. »
Clotilde: “I was pregnant. My grandmother and my mother were followed by this radiologist, I felt confident. He put his fingers in my vagina while my husband was nearby. A sheet prevented him from seeing the scene. I was in a state of astonishment. »
Agnès: “I was in a PMA procedure. I went to see this radiologist several times, who was kind and helpful. After the first attack, I convinced myself that he was clumsy. The second time, I was terribly ashamed. I had a hard time putting this trauma into words. It took a discussion with a friend to unblock everything. She told me to go file a complaint and offered to accompany me. »
“I was devastated. I even wanted to withdraw my complaint so as not to feel this pain anymore”
The complaint
Jacqueline: “I should have reacted straight away, I was stupid not to file a complaint. I told myself that no one would believe me. It was only in 2019, following a press article, that I decided to file a complaint. »
Peggy: “I was afraid of being called a liar. It was the gendarme who first put a word to what I had suffered: rape. »
Monique: “I received a call from a police officer who was investigating a rape case. When he mentioned the name of the Dr El Absi, I started to tremble. Everything is back together. I realized that I was not the only one. »
Clotilde: “I came across an article, two years after the fact. I collapsed. My mother convinced me to file a complaint. The following days were difficult, I was devastated. I even wanted to withdraw my complaint so as not to feel this pain anymore. It passed after a few weeks. »
Agnès: “I spent a whole Sunday afternoon at the gendarmerie. My husband was in the waiting room. An officer took notes. After an hour, a superior came and told him to film the statement. I had to start all over again from the beginning. It's hard, I wanted to be somewhere else. »
“I tried to put tissues on my trauma. I became a mummy”
The trauma
Peggy: “I tried to put tissues to my trauma. I became a mummy. Impossible for me to go see a psychologist. I got divorced. I live alone, I have four children. I no longer trust doctors. When my oldest daughter gave birth, I stayed with her every minute of her hospitalization. I passed this fear and anger on to my family, I realize. This is my heritage. My children and my grandchildren are collateral victims. »
Monique: “The man I lived with never believed me. He did not react despite my warnings. In a way, my ex-husband was complicit. It took me a while to understand that I had been raped. I thought it only happened on the street, that it couldn't come from a doctor. I found comfort in the Bible. I haven't been able to rebuild my life since. I feel dirty, I locked myself away. »
Clotilde: “The psyche is well made. I didn't break down during my pregnancy. I decompensated afterwards. Fortunately, I was well surrounded. And I am being followed by a psychologist. »
Jacqueline: “I get defensive when I go to see a doctor. I remain on alert. »
Agnès: “I wanted to protect my husband. I didn't want his view of me to change. But this story inevitably caused problems in our relationship. He is always by my side, he is a great support. Today, I am sensitive but fights no longer scare me. »
“A trial is an ordeal. Especially when you hear your rapist say that women fantasize about white coats”
The first trial
Peggy: “I had the impression of being listened to, understood. I was very saddened by listening to the testimony of the other victims. A trial is an ordeal. Especially when we hear her rapist say that women fantasize about white coats. »
Clotilde: “It’s so hard to recount your trauma for the umpteenth time. To talk about his deepest intimacy. The Dr El Absi was found guilty of all counts at first instance, this is the most important one. His release seven months after the trial hurt me. Justice had just made amends for us, and he was released from prison. How is this possible? »
Jacqueline: “The hardest part was being called a liar at the first hearing. I would have preferred an apology. »
Agnès: “It’s a traumatic experience, her private, intimate life is revealed in public. You find yourself alone at the bar, the judges are perched and look down on you. The accused is right next door. His conviction relieved me. Being believed is the most important thing. »
“The accused could no longer tolerate his conditions of incarceration? For me, this matter has been locked in my head for more than ten years”
The second trial
Peggy: “That he was released from prison seven months after his conviction, for medical reasons, is astonishing. He could no longer stand his conditions of incarceration? For me, this matter has been locked in my head for more than ten years. This man destroyed families. He needs to go to jail for this. »
Clotilde: “I have told this story dozens of times. I hope this will be the last. »
(1) The defense was contacted but did not wish to react in the columns of “Sud Ouest” before the second trial.
(2) The first names of two of the five witnesses have been changed: Clotilde and Jacqueline.
