Tahiti trial of controversial doctor put off to March

4:50 pm on 8 November 2021

The much-anticipated delayed trial of a controversial retired doctor in French Polynesia has again been deferred, this time to March 3.

Jean-Paul Theron faces criminal charges after allegedly assaulting and abusing a bailiff outside his home in September while he was being given a summons from medical authorities.

Dr Jean-Paul Theron

Dr Jean-Paul Theron Photo: Supplied

His lawyers say Dr Theron could not be in court on orders of his doctors and that in March, they would not seek another postponement but work for the case to be thrown out.

While crowds of supporters were at the court last month when the trial was first deferred, this time several leading politicians, including the pro-independence leader Oscar Temaru, were present.

Oscar Temaru

Oscar Temaru Photo: supplied

French Polynesia's professional body for doctors has accused Dr Theron of breaching standards by practising medicine without a permanent practice.

The retired physician attracted attention for prescribing Ivermectin, which is used as a treatment for parasites, to dozens of Covid-19 sufferers in his care at the height of the pandemic.