By James
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A Paris court has permanently struck two cosmetic surgeons off the medical register and sentenced one to prison following the death of Belgian-Israeli billionaire diamond magnate, Ehud Arye Laniado, who died during a controversial cosmetic procedure in France.
Laniado, 65, founder of Omega Diamonds, suffered a fatal heart attack while undergoing a penile enhancement operation at the upscale Saint-Honoré-Ponthieu aesthetic clinic in Paris—an exclusive facility reputed for serving ultra-wealthy clients, with procedures costing tens of thousands of euros.
Investigations revealed troubling lapses in medical conduct. Although an initial probe opened on suspicion of manslaughter, prosecutors later pursued charges including failure to assist a person in danger, drug-related offences, and illegal medical practice.
On Wednesday, the Paris court sentenced the lead surgeon, identified as Guy H, to 15 months in prison and imposed a lifetime ban on practising medicine. A second surgeon present during the procedure received a 12-month suspended sentence and was likewise permanently barred from medical practice.
Both men were also fined, €50,000 for the lead surgeon and €20,000 for his colleague.
According to French daily, Le Parisien, investigators were particularly alarmed by the nearly two-hour delay before emergency services were contacted, despite signs that Laniado was in medical distress. While a preliminary call for help was reportedly made earlier in the evening, paramedics were not alerted until it was far too late.
The defence argued that the symptoms did not immediately point to a cardiac emergency and cited Laniado’s existing health conditions. His lawyer insisted the heart attack could have occurred “anywhere” and was not directly caused by the cosmetic procedure.
The court rejected that argument, ruling that critical delays in seeking emergency care significantly contributed to the outcome and justified the convictions.
A Paris-based medical practitioner, speaking anonymously, said the case exposed “a dangerous culture within elite cosmetic surgery circles, where regulations are bent or ignored altogether, in the pursuit of wealthy clients.”
